Tuchel Names 35-Man England Squad, Drops Alexander-Arnold
SkimNews Take
An expanded squad billed as a "final experiment" this close to the World Cup suggests selection is still widening rather than narrowing a first XI — the inverse of what most contenders do at this stage.
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- Thomas Tuchel named a 35-man England squad for friendlies against Uruguay (27 March) and Japan (31 March) at Wembley, with rotation planned between the two games to give him a longer look at players in a camp setting
- Harry Maguire earned a recall at age 33 after reviving his form at Manchester United under Michael Carrick; he hasn't featured for England since September 2024 against the Republic of Ireland and has 64 caps
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned to the England fold for the first time since a 17-minute substitute appearance against Ukraine at the delayed Euros in July 2021, following his free transfer to Leeds and a fitness resurgence
- Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out entirely despite 35 spots being available and first-choice right-back Reece James being injured, effectively ending his World Cup hopes after Tuchel's long-held concerns about his defending
- Harry Kane has no proven deputy: Ollie Watkins was dropped for patchy club form, Dominic Solanke is still working back from ankle surgery, and Marcus Rashford is now used in wider positions, leaving England's World Cup plans dependent on the 32-year-old Bayern striker's fitness (78 goals in 112 caps)
- Morgan Rogers has emerged as a genuine threat to Jude Bellingham's starting number 10 spot after outstanding form for Aston Villa, with Cole Palmer and Phil Foden also in the mix across the two friendlies
- Jason Steele received his first senior England call-up at age 35, named with a view to joining the World Cup squad as a training goalkeeper despite not playing a Premier League minute this season for Brighton
Why it matters: England's World Cup prospects depend almost entirely on Kane staying fit — Watkins was dropped, Solanke is still returning from ankle surgery, and no other forward has proven himself at international level. Tuchel's 35-man squad also doubled as a warning shot: Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, and Watkins were all omitted, making clear that places remain genuinely up for grabs.
