Tuchel Names 35-Man England Squad with Maguire Return, Bellingham Included

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced a 35-man squad for upcoming international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, marking a return for several players and sparking debate over key omissions. The expanded squad allows Tuchel to assess a wider range of options ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Key Returns and Surprises

Harry Maguire earns a recall to the England squad for the first time in over a year, demonstrating Tuchel’s willingness to revisit previously overlooked talent. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who last featured for the national team in 2021, also returns to the fold following a strong season with Leeds United. Kobbie Mainoo also finds himself back in contention after a period away from the international setup.

Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele is a surprising inclusion, having played only five games this season, none in the Premier League. Cole Palmer, previously injured in November, is also back in the squad.

Bellingham Included Despite Lack of Recent Play

Despite not playing for Real Madrid since February due to injury, Jude Bellingham has been included in Tuchel’s squad. The midfielder has missed the last ten games for the Spanish giants, but Tuchel clearly values his contribution and potential.

Notable Omissions

Trent Alexander-Arnold is again absent from the squad, despite Tuchel acknowledging his qualities. The manager stated he is pursuing other options, highlighting the intense competition for places. Luke Shaw and Morgan Gibbs-White were also not selected.

Squad Details

The 35-man squad is broken down as follows:

• Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
• Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
• Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
• Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)

Upcoming Friendlies

England will face Uruguay on March 27th and Japan on April 1st, both matches taking place at Wembley Stadium. These friendlies serve as crucial preparation for the final squad selection for the 2026 World Cup.