Thomas Tuchel Announces England Squad; Real Madrid Star and Many Big Names Missing

England has finally announced a mammoth 35-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Thomas Tuchel has called up several players, including fresh faces, as he delves into the deep talent pool available to him ahead of the games scheduled for late March and early April.

One of the biggest omissions from the squad sees Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold being snubbed by the German tactician for the upcoming games. Alexander-Arnold recently returned for the Spanish giants, but has failed to recapture the kind of form he displayed for the Reds of Liverpool before leaving them in May 2025 for Madrid.

Thomas Tuchel Names 35-Man Squad For Upcoming Friendlies

Tuchel has called up the likes of Jason Steele, James Garner, and Djed Spence as they get a chance of donning the England shirt for the first time. The former Chelsea boss has given all three players a fresh opportunity to state their case for playing in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The German also recalled some veteran players like Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Kobbie Mainoo, Fikayo Tomori, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin back into the fold for the first time since Gareth Southgate's departure as head coach. Another opportunity for some of Southgate's favorites to get in the good graces of Thomas Tuchel and book their tickets for the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the summer.

Which Other Players Were Snubbed From Thomas Tuchel England Squad?

The former UEFA Champions League-winning tactician has also left Manchester United left back Luke Shaw, Olympique Lyonnais star Mason Greenwood, Aston Villa attacker Ollie Watkins, and in-form Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney from the 35-man provisional squad. Luke Shaw has been injury-prone in recent years for England and the Red Devils, opening the door for young stars like Lewis Hall to step up and deliver.

Mason Greenwood and Ivan Toney omissions also seem to be a careful decision from the German coach, who has potent attackers capable of stepping up and better than the former pair. While Greenwood's case for England selection remains up in the air, Toney has been in red-hot form in the Saudi Pro League as he has scored 25 goals and set up 5 assists in 25 games for Al-Ahli this season.
Watkins was also left out of Tuchel's England squad, having struggled for form in front of goal for the Villans this season. He has contributed with eight goals and one assist in 29 games for Unai Emery's men in the English Premier League this term.

England's 35-Man Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele.

Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori.

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton.

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke.