Thomas Tuchel announced his first England squad this morning after officially becoming manager of the Three Lions in January.
England’s new era begins next week with a Wembley double-header of World Cup qualifiers, as Albania and Latvia visit in the space of four days. Tuchel has been charged by the FA with delivering England men’s first major trophy since 1966, after signing an 18-month contract which ends after the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.
And as he looks to get up and running, he has handed midfielder Jordan Henderson a surprise recall while also including Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly among his defenders, Morgan Rogers in midfield, and Marcus Rashford among the forward options – amid the latter’s improved form since leaving Manchester United.
Tuchel had been in contact with a large pool of players over recent weeks and compiled a 55-man shortlist before naming his squad. Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri was thought to be in contention alongside clubmate Lewis-Skelly, as were Nottingham Forest pair Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, but none of those three were named.
Follow live updates from England’s squad announcement and Tuchel’s press conference below.
England squad announcement
Thomas Tuchel set to name first squad since becoming England managerGerman coach expected to shake up squad after end of Gareth Southgate eraTuchel will hold a press conference after naming players for Wembley fixturesEngland host Albania and Latvia (21 & 24 March) in 2026 World Cup qualifying
Marcus Rashford returns to England fold
09:09 , Lawrence Ostlere
Marcus Rashford is another who has been called back into the fold, while Kyle Walker is also in the squad.
It is an experienced group, which perhaps reflects Tuchel’s situation: a short-term contract focused entirely on winning World Cup 2026. There is not a lot of space for youngsters.
Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad
09:07 , Lawrence Ostlere
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford.
Defenders: Dan Burn, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers.
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke.
Jordan Henderson is back
09:06 , Lawrence Ostlere
So Thomas Tuchel has named a 26-man squad, and one of the headlines is that Jordan Henderson is back. That’s quite a surprise.
England squad confirmed!
09:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here it is, Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad:
Tuchel set to announce England squad
08:53 , Lawrence Ostlere
The Football Association has not announced exactly when Tuchel’s first England squad will be revealed, but we are expecting news very soon this morning so stay with us.
Rashford pushing case for England re-call
08:48 , Lawrence Ostlere
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford – who won the last of his 60 England caps last March – continues to show flashes of quality since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United. Could he be back in the fold?
Read more:
How Marcus Rashford has left Thomas Tuchel almost no choice around England recall
England squad announcement – live
08:36 , Lawrence Ostlere
Tuchel has been talking with players on his 55-strong list of options ahead of Friday’s selection.
There are a number of headaches to contend with, including injuries to long-serving centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones as well as Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo and Noni Madueke.
Trent Alexander-Arnold limped out of Liverpool’s Champions League exit to Paris St Germain on Tuesday, while Ben White is an interesting case having previously ruled himself out of international selection.
Lewis Hall’s season-ending injury compounds the ongoing absence of Luke Shaw at left-back, with uncapped duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Djed Spence options along with Tyrick Mitchell.
Ethan Nwaneri, Liam Delap and Elliot Anderson are other uncapped talents knocking on the door, while Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer and Kyle Walker are among those whose performances are under scrutiny.
Rooney hoping Tuchel can deliver World Cup
08:21 , Lawrence Ostlere
Asked if Tuchel can follow Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 heroes into the history books, Rooney told the PA news agency: “I hope so and I think his record is fantastic. He’s won the best trophies out there.
“When (Fabio) Capello came in – obviously I had Sven (Goran Eriksson) who was a foreign manager as well – I was really excited to work under Fabio and it didn’t quite go the way I would have liked it to or hoped.
“I didn’t really enjoy that time under Fabio, but I’m sure there’s players in that dressing now who see Thomas Tuchel come in as a winner.
“We all hope that he can be the one to progress England forward and take us that next step.”
Rooney hoping Tuchel can deliver World Cup
08:05 , Lawrence Ostlere
Former England captain Wayne Rooney hopes Thomas Tuchel can take his fantastic record on to the international stage as the new manager prepares to name his first squad on Friday.
The ex-Chelsea boss begins life as manager of the back-to-back Euro runners-up with a March double-header.
Tuchel was named Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor in October and has been getting his feet under the table since his 18-month contract with the Football Association began on New Year’s Day.
The 51-year-old will name his first squad on Friday morning before facing the media at Wembley, where they host Albania on March 21 and Latvia three days later as World Cup qualification gets under way.
Tuchel has been charged with taking England that final step at next summer’s World Cup and Rooney, the nation’s most-capped outfield men’s player, is hoping he can reproduce his previous successes.
Nuno encourages Tuchel to explore Forest
07:49 , Lawrence Ostlere
Gibbs-White is a strong contender to be in the squad considering he was part of the set-up before Christmas but call-ups for Hudson-Odoi and Anderson could be less likely.
“I think we have a lot of English players that are options for the English squad, Elliot is among those,” Nuno added.
“I still believe he has the ability to be versatile and play in different positions.
“It has been proven with his age, it only can make him better for the future, being able to play more than one position on the pitch.
“It is a thing a squad needs in its players and Elliot can do that.”
On Hudson-Odoi, Nuno added: “A lot of aspects in this game have been improving. He is versatile to both wings, he has been adaptable and really performing well.
“His defensive tasks are always there. I believe there are a lot of things he can do better in terms of assists and goals, they are always things you want to improve.”
Nuno encourages Tuchel to explore Forest
07:37 , Lawrence Ostlere
Nuno Espirito Santo says England manager Thomas Tuchel does not need to look much further than his Nottingham Forest squad for possible options.
Tuchel will name a 26-man squad on Friday for his first games since taking over from Gareth Southgate.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson have all been key players in Forest’s incredible season which sees them among the favourites to earn Champions League qualification while Ryan Yates is having an impressive campaign.
The German has been spotted watching several Forest games since he started in January, while his assistant Anthony Barry was at the City Ground to watch the 1-0 win over Manchester City which saw Gibbs-White set up Hudson-Odoi.
“Let’s wait and see what Thomas does. I hope he takes everyone he wants to take, there are a lot of English players in our squad,” Nuno said.
England’s World Cup qualifying group
07:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
England play their first game under Tuchel against Albania on Friday 21 March, in their opening fixture of their World Cup qualifying campaign. It will be followed by another Wembley date against Latvia on Monday 24 March.
England have been drawn in Group K of World Cup qualifiers and will also play Serbia and Andorra. Only the top team in the group qualifies automatically for the 2026 World Cup finals, with the runner-up going through to the play-offs.
Picking Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad
07:07 , Lawrence Ostlere
Tuchel’s first England squad could be the most eagerly-anticipated announcement for years; perhaps the most unpredictable, too, given, while Gareth Southgate had the occasional tendency to surprise and axe big names, many of his selections were familiar and Lee Carsley borrowed heavily from his Under-21 team.
Senior football correspondent Richard Jolly runs through the options here.
Predicting Tuchel’s first England squad – including five new faces and two recalls
England squad announcement – live
06:58 , Lawrence Ostlere
England begin a new era under Thomas Tuchel as the new manager prepares to name his first squad ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifying.
Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract through to the 2026 World Cup and the Three Lions begin that journey with fixtures against Albania and Latvia this month.
Tuchel, who officially took over on January 1, has been considering his first squad, speaking to a huge number of players and compiling a longlist of 55 potential options.
Could Arsenal teeangers Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly be among them? Or could in-form Nottingham Forest pair Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi make the cut?
Tuchel could also offer a return to Marcus Rashford, who is enjoying life on loan Aston Villa, as the German begins to shape his new-look England side.
England squad announcement – live
Thursday 13 March 2025 14:13 , Lawrence Ostlere
Good morning and welcome along to our rolling news coverage as we bring you Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad since officially becoming manager in January.
Who has made the cut and who has been cut adrift? All will be revealed this morning as England’s new era begins.
