Newly appointed England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his inaugural squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. Among the notable selections is Marcus Rashford, who returns to the national team after nearly a year-long absence. Rashford’s resurgence comes following a successful loan spell at Aston Villa, where he has contributed four assists in nine appearances since his move from Manchester United.
Another significant inclusion is Jordan Henderson, who earns a recall after last representing England in November 2023. Henderson’s recent performances with Ajax have impressed Tuchel, leading to his return to the squad.
Tuchel has also handed first-time call-ups to Newcastle United defender Dan Burn and Arsenal’s young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly. Burn’s consistent displays in the Premier League have earned him this opportunity, while Lewis-Skelly’s rapid progression at Arsenal has caught the national team’s attention.
Notably absent from the squad is Jack Grealish, who has struggled for regular playing time at Manchester City this season. Additionally, experienced defender Kyle Walker, currently on loan at AC Milan from Manchester City, has been recalled, bringing his tally closer to 100 international caps.
Tuchel’s 26-man squad reflects a blend of experience and fresh talent as England embarks on their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
