Though England’s FIFA World Cup squad was only announced today, at around 2:30 pm IST, the headline omissions had emerged the previous evening. Manchester City's Phil Foden, who never quite found his rhythm this season, will not be going to North America. Chelsea's Cole Palmer, despite being one of the Premier League's standout performers in recent years, has also been left out. Manchester United's Harry Maguire—a veteran of two World Cups with 66 caps—announced on social media that he was “shocked and gutted” by his exclusion, having apparently been informed a day earlier.
All three omissions were confirmed today, leaving many fans fuming. Palmer's exclusion is the most surprising; he has had an injury-troubled season and struggled for form, but remains a generational talent. Foden's inconsistency made the decision easier to defend. The fact that both would walk into most international squads says more about the attacking depth at Tuchel's disposal than it does about either player. Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid and the in-form duo of Arsenal's Eberechi Eze and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers are expected to provide the quality at No. 10.
At left-back, the absence of Lewis Hall raises questions about the cover Tuchel is carrying into the tournament. Luke Shaw—long England's first choice in the position—is absent. That leaves Nico O'Reilly, the 20-year-old Manchester City player who predominantly plays there under Pep Guardiola, as the most natural option. Tino Livramento, who can cover the position but has missed much of Newcastle's season through injury, is another possibility, as are his club colleague Dan Burn and Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence. None of them feels like a natural option.
That applies to O'Reilly too, who is a converted midfielder—though he has looked comfortable in the role. His inclusion is deserved; his breakthrough season has been exceptional. But if he is injured or struggles, there is no natural cover. Hall was the obvious insurance. His performance against Lamine Yamal in the Champions League earlier this season enhanced his reputation further, and his absence may prove costly.
Maguire has been in fine form and will be a miss. But including him would have altered the squad dynamic. He would want to play, and if the younger starting centre-backs underperform, the pressure to pick him would grow. By taking centre-backs who are less established, Tuchel has sidestepped that problem.
The Ivan Toney decision is one Tuchel will have to justify. The striker has topped the scoring charts in the Saudi Pro League, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the level is a significant step down from European football. The mitigating factor is that he will not be a starter; any striker in this squad serves primarily as cover for Harry Kane. Danny Welbeck made a compelling case on current form, but the choice between him and Toney—especially with Ollie Watkins also in the squad—is not that crucial. This is because, barring an injury to Kane, a backup striker's influence will be limited. Toney, even if his sharpness has dulled in Saudi Arabia, should still be capable of troubling most defences at the World Cup. He is also an excellent penalty taker, which, given England's history in penalty shoot-outs, is not an incidental detail.
England open their Group L campaign against Croatia on June 17. Changes for medical reasons can be made up to 24 hours before that game.
Squad
* Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
* Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)
* Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
* Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
