Mainoo, Maguire return as Tuchel names England squad for final World Cup audition
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named a 35-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, using the matches as the final assessment before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire headline the returns to the national setup.
The friendlies at Wembley are expected to play a key role in shaping England’s final World Cup squad, with Tuchel opting for a larger group to test combinations and manage workloads.
Speaking after announcing the squad, Tuchel explained the thinking behind splitting the group into phases.
“We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost. We bring players in that we haven’t seen so far and haven’t played much to open up the picture, to open up the competition for plane tickets to the U.S.,” Tuchel said.
He added that a second batch of players will join later in the camp for rotation.
“And then from Friday/Saturday, a group will come into camp — 10 or 11 players — who get a rest before — and we will go with a new group of players, a new mix of players into the match against Japan,” he added.
MAINOO AND MAGUIRE RETURN
Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo have been recalled following Manchester United’s recent resurgence under interim coach Michael Carrick. Both players had been absent from the national setup since England’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in September 2024, with inconsistent club form and managerial changes affecting their international prospects.
Since January, United’s form has improved markedly. Maguire has re-established himself as a reliable figure in defence, while Mainoo has grown into a key midfield role, demonstrating maturity and control. Their regular starts during this period have earned them renewed trust from both club and country.
Tuchel’s decision to include them reflects not only their improved performances but also a strategic move to broaden the squad ahead of the World Cup. Their return signals a shift in plans as England prepares for the tournament.
BIG NAMES MISSED OUT
Despite the expanded squad, some notable players have been left out. Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Real Madrid right back, was excluded despite Reece James’ injury. Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins also missed out amid a dip in form. Luke Shaw is another absentee from the group.
The squad structure is designed for rotation, with only 24 players involved in the first friendly against Uruguay, and a different set joining for the Japan game. This approach aims to manage player fitness at the end of a demanding club season.
New inclusions beyond the Manchester United duo include Newcastle defender Lewis Hall and Everton midfielder James Garner, who earns his first senior call-up. Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns to the squad for the first time since September 2021, alongside Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, as Tuchel experiments with attacking options.
Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele has also been included, with indications he may travel to the World Cup as a training goalkeeper. The squad announcement highlights England’s intent to assess depth and flexibility ahead of the tournament.
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