England manager Thomas Tuchel has submitted a provisional 55-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, according to the BBC, but the final list of 26 players will be announced on May 22. Tuchel will cut the squad from 55 to 26 before the tournament begins on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; the Football Association (FA) has not officially released the names yet but confirmed the announcement date.

Key Inclusions and Exclusions

Several notable names have been linked with the provisional squad, including Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, who earned his first call-up since 2024 for the recent friendlies. Maguire started in the friendly against Uruguay and came on as a substitute against Japan, according to ESPN; Kobbie Mainoo, also of Manchester United, was also called up and started in both matches. He scored the winning goal in United’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool on May 3, a result that secured Champions League football for his club.

Midfield options remain competitive. With Declan Rice. Adam Wharton. And Elliot Anderson expected to feature. But Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest has also drawn attention with 16 goals and six assists this season. His key goals in tight relegation matches, including a 15-minute hat trick against Burnley and a goal in Forest’s 5-0 win over Sunderland, have made him a potential candidate despite fierce competition in the midfield.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, who scored the decisive goal in England’s Euro 2024 victory over the Netherlands, was notably absent from the recent squad. Tuchel instead opted for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Daryl Murphy as understudies to Harry Kane. This raises questions about Watkins’ role in the final 26-man squad.

Right-Back Controversy and Injuries

Tuchel faces a dilemma at right-back. While Alexander-Arnold was included in the provisional list, the manager has previously favored players such as Chelsea’s Reece James and Arsenal’s Ben White. However, White is a major doubt for the World Cup due to a recent knee injury sustained in a match against West Ham. Tino Livramento, a 20-year-old from Newcastle, was also part of the preliminary squad but is currently unavailable due to a suspension.

There was also speculation about Jarrell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen, who has been training in a right-back role and, according to Tuchel’s earlier comments, is ahead of Alexander-Arnold in the race for a spot in that position. Quansah, a central defender by trade, has shown versatility and could be a surprise inclusion in the final squad.

Timeline and Squad Finalization

FIFA requires each nation to submit a provisional 55-man squad by May 11, which England did. Tuchel will then announce the final 26-man squad by May 30, with England choosing to make the official announcement on May 22, as reported by OneFootball. In addition to the 26 players, nine additional players will be brought to the United States for training, serving as potential replacements in case of injuries.

England’s first match of the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for June 17 against Croatia. The team will also face Ghana and Panama in Group L. Tuchel’s decision-making in the coming weeks will be major in shaping the team’s prospects for the tournament.

Among those in contention for the final spots are younger players like Mainoo and James Garner, both of whom made their international debuts in March. These call-ups indicate Tuchel’s willingness to bring in fresh talent to back England’s squad depth.

As the final squad announcement approaches, all eyes will be on how Tuchel balances experience, form, and tactical needs across the positions. With a number of key players sidelined due to injury and others proving their form in recent matches, the final 26 will represent a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging stars.