Thomas Tuchel is not here to make friends. If you haven't realized that yet, just look at the fallout from his recent selections. While fans were busy arguing over whether Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona saved his career or if Jordan Henderson actually deserves a seat on the plane at 35, Tuchel was busy winning every single qualifier without conceding a goal. Zero. Not one.
It's January 2026. The World Cup in North America is months away. We’ve seen the "Golden Generations" come and go with nothing but a few "it came home" memes and a lot of heartbreak. But this time, the vibe is different. It’s colder. More calculated. Tuchel isn't trying to fit the eleven best players onto a pitch; he's trying to build a machine that doesn't break under the pressure of a Dallas heatwave or a penalty shootout.
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The England squad for the world cup: Talent vs. "Social Skills"
Honestly, the biggest shock hasn't been a specific name, but Tuchel's open admission that "social skills" matter as much as a 40-yard diagonal ball. He basically told the press last week that being a "good tourist" is a prerequisite. If you're going to sulk because you're third-choice left-back behind Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly, you’re staying in London.
This has put massive stars on notice. We saw Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham left out of certain squads last year. People lost their minds. "How can you drop the best player in the world?" they screamed. Tuchel's answer? Balance. In his 4-2-3-1, he’s made it clear: you can’t always have Bellingham, Foden, and Cole Palmer on the pitch at once. It’s too much "No. 10" energy and not enough structure.
The Locks: Who is definitely on the plane?
Barring a literal disaster, some names are written in permanent marker.
- Jordan Pickford: Still the undisputed No. 1. 42 clean sheets and counting.
- Harry Kane: He’s 32 now, but he just broke Pelé’s scoring record and helped Bayern to a title. He’s the captain, the focal point, and the guy who converts the 90th-minute penalty.
- Declan Rice: The heartbeat. You don't play Tuchel-ball without a Rice-shaped vacuum cleaner in the middle.
- Bukayo Saka: The most consistent winger in the setup. Period.
But then it gets weird. Look at the defense. Harry Maguire is officially the "break glass in case of emergency" option now. Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa have become the preferred pair, mostly because they don't get turned by pacy strikers as easily as the old guard.
The Wildcards and the Heartbreak
The Nico O’Reilly emergence has been a bit of a "where did that come from?" moment. The Manchester City youngster has basically jumped the queue at left-back, especially with Luke Shaw’s fitness being... well, Luke Shaw’s fitness. Then there’s Conor Gallagher. He just moved to Spurs from Atlético Madrid specifically to save his World Cup hopes. He was a fringe player in Spain, but Thomas Frank is giving him the minutes he needs to prove he’s the high-pressing "monster" Tuchel likes for the final 20 minutes of a knockout game.
And what about the ones left in the cold?
- Jack Grealish: It’s looking grim. Despite the talent, he hasn't been the "specialist winger" Tuchel demands.
- Levi Colwill: That ACL injury was a killer. Heartbreaking timing for a guy who looked like a future captain.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: This is the one everyone debates at the pub. He was left out of the September qualifiers. Is he a right-back? A midfielder? Tuchel seems to think he’s a luxury he might not be able to afford if he wants total defensive solidity.
Why the 2026 Squad is different
Usually, an England manager is bullied by the media into picking the most famous players. Tuchel doesn't care about your Instagram followers. He's picking specialists. He’s looking at guys like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton because they do one specific job perfectly.
Wharton, in particular, is the kind of player England usually ignores—a "boring" midfielder who just keeps the ball moving. But in a tournament where you might face Croatia’s midfield in 100-degree weather, someone who doesn't lose the ball is worth their weight in gold.
The Group L Reality Check
England drew Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. On paper? Easy. In reality? Croatia is a nightmare that won't go away, and Ghana in the US will feel like an away game. The squad needs to be deep. Tuchel is expected to use the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan to finalize the "bottom five" of his 26-man roster.
The battle for the backup striker spot is also heating up. Ollie Watkins is the favorite, but Marcus Rashford's resurgence at Barça—playing mainly as a wide forward—gives Tuchel a tactical flexibility he loves. Rashford can lead the line or haunt a tired right-back.
What to watch for next
If you're trying to figure out who makes the final cut, don't look at the goals and assists. Look at the "Imposters" videos on the England YouTube channel or the training ground footage. Tuchel is watching who is high-fiving the staff and who is sitting alone with their headphones on.
Next steps for the coaching staff:
- March 2026: Finalize the midfield rotation during the Uruguay/Japan friendlies.
- May 2026: Monitor the fitness of Reece James, who remains the best right-back in the world when his hamstrings aren't made of glass.
- June 2026: Early camp in Florida to acclimatize to the North American humidity.
Ultimately, the England squad for the world cup isn't about being the "best." It's about being the right fit for a German manager who values discipline over flair. It might not be pretty, but for the first time in sixty years, it might actually work.