The England national football team has unveiled its final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sparking debate with some headline-making omissions just before their group-stage clash with Ghana.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has turned heads with bold selection choices, leaving out Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Even seasoned defender Harry Maguire, fresh off a standout season with Manchester United, finds himself absent from the squad.
Instead, the Three Lions will rally behind captain Harry Kane and a dynamic lineup featuring Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Marcus Rashford as they chase World Cup glory.
England kick off their World Cup journey against Croatia on June 17, then face Ghana in a highly anticipated Group L showdown, before wrapping up the group stage against Panama.
England World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Supporters are already discussing Tuchel’s choices, especially why Foden, Palmer, Alexander-Arnold, and Maguire, who were expected to make the squad, were left out.
