World Cup 2026

England’s 2026 World Cup squad confirmed: These are the shock call-ups and major absences

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has named his final, 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup in North America.

Andrew Boyers

Journalist and translator, AS USA

British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.

Update: May 22nd, 2026 05:24 EDT

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Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney is a surprise inclusion in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, which was announced on Friday.

Toney is on Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man roster despite earning the last of his seven England caps just under a year ago, in the Three Lions’ friendly defeat to Senegal in June 2025.

The former Brentford forward, who has one international goal, has been in fine scoring form for Al-Ahli. The netting 32 times in 32 Saudi Pro League games this season.

Major names miss out

Meanwhile, there was no place for Manchester City’s Phil Foden or Chelsea’s Cole Palmer - and Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has made just one England squad since Tuchel took over in January 2025, was again left out.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is also among the players overlooked. Maguire went public about his omission on Thursday, describing himself as “shocked and gutted” in a social media post. The center back’s mother, Zoe, added on X that she is “absolutely disgusted” by her son’s absence from the squad.

Spence and Stones in

While Tuchel again opted against picking Alexander-Arnold, one fullback who is on the plane is Tottenham’s Djed Spence. Spence’s fellow defender John Stones has also been selected, despite making just eight Premier League appearances in an injury-hit 2025/26.

Drawn in World Cup Group L, England kick off their campaign against Croatia on June 17. Tuchel’s men will also face Ghana and Panama in the group stage.

England’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Jarell Quansah Bayer Leverkusen, Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli)

It’s official. Your #ThreeLions players heading to the @FIFAWorldCup! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lqsDBYSP4X
— England (@England) May 22, 2026

Notable absences from England’s 2026 World Cup squad:

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid)
Levi Colwill (Chelsea)
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Lewis Hall (Newcastle United)
James Garner (Everton)
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
Miles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

England’s Group L schedule in full:

June 17, 4:00 p.m. ET: England vs Croatia, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
June 23, 12 noon ET: England vs Ghana, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
June 27, 5:00 p.m. ET: Panama vs England, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ