Five things we've learned about Thomas Tuchel's World Cup plans

Cameron Smith

• 20 Mar 2026 05:35 CDT
• 5 min read

Analysis

Thomas Tuchel has officially named a 35-man squad for England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan during the upcoming March international break as preparations for this summer’s World Cup ramp up.

In the process, the 52-year-old has dropped a major hint regarding who is likely to be selected for the upcoming tournament in North America.

Matches against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley are the last chance for World Cup hopefuls to stake their claim for a place on the plane, and Tuchel has made several bold selection decisions ahead of the camp.

The Three Lions cruised through World Cup qualifying with eight wins in eight games, without conceding a single goal, and they head into the 2026 tournament as one of the favourites for glory, alongside reigning champions Argentina and European Championship winners Spain.

The bulk of Tuchel’s preferred starting XI has been established, although there are still several questions over a number of positions, while the squad depth options are yet to be determined.

Below, we run through five things we’ve learned from Tuchel’s latest England selection.

Tuchel doesn’t know which depth options to pick

Tuchel has kept his squads relatively small for the majority of his England reign, while he has previously prioritised picking players who have performed well for him in a Three Lions shirt.

He has ripped up that manual for the March camp by selecting a 35-man squad.

The England boss has a number of dead-certainty picks, but he is evidently not yet sure on which back-up options to select.

The likes of Dominic Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jarell Quansah and Fikayo Tomori have all been handed a somewhat unexpected chance to shine, while Jarrod Bowen has once again been given an opportunity to cement his place in the squad, despite flashier names in attack.

A minimum of nine players from this March squad will not be heading to North America this summer and there is a host of stars who could potentially be cut from contention if they fail to impress against either Uruguay or Japan.

Ultimately though, the decision to select 35 players suggests Tuchel isn’t yet sure which players should drop out for the World Cup.

Kobbie Mainoo is likely to be on the plane

Kobbie Mainoo has been selected by Tuchel for the very first time following his immense recent form for Manchester United.

The 20-year-old started for England during their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, but he fell out of the international picture after losing his starting place at Old Trafford under former boss Ruben Amorim.

The interim appointment of Michael Carrick and the reintroduction of Mainoo has coincided with Man Utd’s excellent recent form, and he has deservedly been recalled to the Three Lions set-up.

With fierce competition from Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Jordan Henderson and new inclusion James Garner, Mainoo isn’t guaranteed to go to the World Cup, but he should be on the plane if he continues to impress for Man Utd, and the fact he’s been picked for the March internationals is a huge hint that he could be selected.

Ollie Watkins is in grave danger

Ollie Watkins has not been selected for the March internationals and his World Cup hopes may be over. He is without a goal in his last six Premier League matches and his confidence in front of goal appears to have been severely impacted by his current barren run of form.

The Aston Villa man had looked set to play a back-up role to Harry Kane in North America, as he did at the Euros, but his place in the squad is now in major doubt amid his goalscoring woes and the selection of the aforementioned Calvert-Lewin and Solanke.

Calvert-Lewin has earned his first England call-up since 2021 following an impressive start to life at Leeds United, in which he’s scored 10 goals in 29 games, while Solanke is back in the England fold after returning to full fitness for Tottenham Hotspur.

Furthermore, with Anthony Gordon playing as a centre forward for Newcastle United in recent weeks, Watkins is unlikely to be called up for the World Cup if Calvert-Lewin or Solanke impress during the March camp.

Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a mountain to climb

Trent Alexander-Arnold will almost certainly be omitted from England’s World Cup squad unless he enjoys a truly sensational end to the season with Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old hasn’t been selected by Tuchel since the June international break and despite Reece James’ hamstring injury, he still hasn’t made the cut this time around.

Alexander-Arnold started both legs against Manchester City in the Champions League, so he is back to full fitness, but he is still behind Valentino Livramento and Djed Spence in the pecking order.

Unless an injury crisis hits the England camp, the former Liverpool man will not be going to the World Cup.

No wildcard selections are expected

With a 26-man squad for the tournament, a wildcard selection is sometimes chosen and given Tuchel has extended his contract until after Euro 2028, he could opt to bring a talented wonderkid to North America as experience.

Arsenal’s Max Dowman, Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Mateus Mane have all been linked with a shock inclusion, but this is extremely unlikely to happen.

All three players missed out on selection for the 35-man squad in March and they will not jump the queue for the World Cup.

The inclusion of Harry Maguire and Jason Steele for the upcoming internationals also suggests Tuchel wants added experience rather than additional youth.

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