The big questions for Tuchel's first England squad since World Cup
September 17, 2026 19:20
Sixty-five days after England were beaten by Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, Thomas Tuchel will announce his first England squad since the tournament later this week. The decision follows a summer that concluded with England beating France 6-4 in the bronze-medal match, but also left lingering questions about personnel and style after the semi-final defeat.
Tuchel has submitted an extended provisional list ahead of naming his final selection on Friday. That extended group includes younger players who have been on the fringes of the senior setup as well as several familiar names who missed the World Cup.
KEY CONTEXT
Tuchel took charge after the World Cup and must pick a squad for an extended international window that features four fixtures in 11 days, including matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. Before naming his final party he is required to provide a preliminary squad, and the provisional list he has circulated contains a mix of emerging talents and established stars.
Among the younger players included in the extended list are Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Hall. Ngumoha, 18, was part of the pre-World Cup training camp in Palm Beach and made his senior debut as a late substitute in the warm-up against New Zealand. Hall’s exclusion from the World Cup squad was notable because England went to the tournament without a natural left-back. Other names reported in the provisional pool include Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Tuchel’s extended list also contains Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, both of whom were left out of the World Cup squad — a decision criticised in some quarters. Conversely, Jordan Henderson, Dean Henderson and John Stones are expected to be left out of the immediate squad because of injury.
WHY IT MATTERS
The squad Tuchel picks and the players he entrusts to change the team’s tempo will signal how he wants England to respond to the shortcomings exposed late in the World Cup. Tuchel and members of the squad reflected after the semi-final that the team became too passive as Argentina took control from 1-0 up. Fans and pundits will be watching whether Tuchel brings in players who can impose themselves earlier in games and restore initiative.
Forward selection is also a live issue. Harry Kane started every England match through to the semi-final and was barely substituted; in the bronze match he was rested and Ivan Toney started. Toney, however, will not be available this break as he faces legal proceedings later this month. Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Arabia has provoked debate about his international prospects, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has form at club level with four goals in four games for Leeds United, and Liam Delap — yet to earn a senior cap — has scored for his new club Nottingham Forest and may press his case.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Tuchel’s final squad announcement on Friday: which names from the provisional list make the cut, and which injured players are omitted as expected.
- Whether Cole Palmer and Phil Foden return to the set-up after their World Cup exclusions, and if Palmer’s recent form earns him a starting role.
- How Tuchel addresses the perceived passivity from the semi-final: will selection and tactical instructions aim to make England more proactive, particularly against Spain at Wembley?
- Which forwards are chosen to provide cover for or alternatives to Harry Kane given Toney’s unavailability this window.
KEY FACTS
- Tuchel will name his first post-World Cup England squad on Friday, 65 days after the semi-final loss to Argentina.
- England beat France 6-4 in the World Cup bronze-medal match.
- Provisional names reported include Rio Ngumoha, Lewis Hall, Alex Scott, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.
- Jordan Henderson, Dean Henderson and John Stones are expected to be omitted because of injury.
- Ivan Toney will not be available this international break because he is due in court later this month.