Tuchel’s radical 35-man England squad explained 

The gaffer has ripped up the rulebook, and the football world is still catching its breath. Thomas Tuchel announced his squad on Friday for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on 27 and 31 March, and what emerged was nothing short of revolutionary: a staggering 35-man roster that represents the largest England squad in living memory. This isn’t just squad rotation. It’s a complete reimagining of how a nation prepares for the biggest tournament in football.

The numbers tell part of the story, but the omissions scream volumes. Real Madrid announced the signing of Alexander-Arnold on 30 May 2025 on a six-year contract, yet the Liverpool-turned-Galáctico finds himself on the outside looking in. Alexander-Arnold hasn’t featured for England since June 2025, and injuries coupled with an inconsistent spell at Madrid mean his place in the squad is far from guaranteed. The right-back berth, once seemingly his by birthright, has become the most contested position in the entire setup.

Tuchel’s explanation reveals method behind the apparent madness. The German tactician plans to split his squad into two distinct groups, with some players reporting early whilst others receive extended rest periods before the Japan fixture. It’s logistically ambitious, perhaps bordering on chaotic, but there’s clear tactical reasoning: maximise evaluation time whilst managing player welfare ahead of a summer World Cup in North American heat.

The Returning Names

Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds United on 15 August 2025 on a three-year deal after leaving Everton, and has been one of the club’s best players, scoring 10 Premier League goals. His inclusion represents vindication after years plagued by injury concerns at Goodison Park. Alongside Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, Calvert-Lewin provides the traditional number nine profile that England have often lacked: physical presences who can hold the ball up and finish in the box.

Harry Maguire’s recall feels almost inevitable given Tuchel’s Chelsea history with the defender’s profile, though the Manchester United man hasn’t featured prominently for his club. Kobbie Mainoo returns to the fold after previous involvement, his elegant passing and composure beyond his years making him a natural fit for Tuchel’s possession-based approach.

The Uncapped Wildcards

It’s the uncapped selections that truly illuminate Tuchel’s thinking. Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele are the two fresh faces. The Toffees midfielder has been a consistent force under David Moyes this season, with only James Tarkowski playing more minutes for Everton in the Premier League this season than Garner (2,610). He’s also registered the most touches in Everton’s squad (2,031). His box-to-box capabilities and surprising versatility (having filled in at both full-back positions) make him exactly the sort of tactically malleable player Tuchel covets.

Then there’s Jason Steele, whose inclusion borders on the surreal. The 35-year-old hasn’t played top-flight football since August 2024 and serves primarily as Brighton’s backup. He’s never represented England at senior level, yet here he is, potentially weeks away from an international debut at an age when most goalkeepers are considering retirement. It’s a selection that defies conventional logic, though Tuchel clearly sees something in training or possesses specific knowledge about Steele’s shot-stopping that warrants inclusion in this experimental setup.

Fikayo Tomori’s recall after more than two years away represents another fascinating tactical wrinkle. The AC Milan defender last appeared for England in October 2023. Playing in Serie A has kept him somewhat removed from the Premier League-centric English media narrative, but his performances for Milan have been consistently excellent. Tuchel clearly isn’t subscribing to the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy that has hindered previous England managers.

The Alexander-Arnold Question

The absences are equally instructive. Alexander-Arnold’s omission dominates the discourse, and rightly so. Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah appears almost guaranteed selection after making his debut against Albania in November, with Tuchel stating afterwards he was “a tiny bit ahead” of Alexander-Arnold. That assessment, delivered months ago, has now manifested as brutal reality.

The Liverpool academy graduate’s defensive frailties have long been debated, but his creative output from right-back remains unmatched in world football. That Tuchel has chosen defensive solidity over attacking invention tells you everything about his tactical priorities.

The Right-Back Battleground

The timing couldn’t be more significant. With the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico mere months away, these friendlies represent the final proper opportunity to assess fringe candidates. England have already qualified with a perfect record, conceding zero goals across their qualifying campaign. That defensive foundation gives Tuchel licence to experiment now, to blood newcomers and test tactical variations without the pressure of competitive fixtures.

With Alexander-Arnold excluded and Reece James omitted through injury, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento presents one option at right-back, while Djed Spence has found form elusive during Tottenham’s patchy run. Both find themselves included in this bloated squad, each harbouring genuine hopes of making the final 26-man World Cup roster. Livramento’s defensive nous and athletic profile contrast sharply with Spence’s recovery pace and attacking thrust. Neither possesses Alexander-Arnold’s creative genius, but both offer qualities that align more closely with Tuchel’s defensive structure.

The Forward Conundrum

The forward contingent raises its own questions. Ten attacking players in a 35-man squad suggests Tuchel is still nowhere near settled on his preferred front three or attacking system. Cole Palmer’s Chelsea form demands inclusion, whilst Phil Foden remains Manchester City’s creative heartbeat despite their recent struggles. Anthony Gordon provides pace and directness, Bukayo Saka offers reliability and consistency, yet there’s a nagging sense that England still lack a genuinely world-class striker to lead the line.

Harry Kane carries that burden, but at 32 and with his mobility declining, the captain’s ability to press from the front and link play has diminished. Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke round out the attacking options, each bringing different qualities but none yet establishing themselves as automatic selections.

Midfield Balance and Defensive Depth

The midfield presents perhaps the most balanced area. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham form the presumed first-choice partnership, with their club success and international experience making them virtually undroppable. Adam Wharton’s technical quality and composure on the ball offer a different tempo-controlling option, whilst Elliot Anderson’s energy and defensive work rate provide tactical flexibility. Jordan Henderson’s inclusion, at 35, speaks to Tuchel’s desire for experienced heads who understand tournament football’s unique pressures.

In defence, John Stones and Marc Guehi appear first-choice when fit, though Stones’s persistent injury problems create uncertainty. Maguire’s recall provides insurance, whilst younger options like Quansah and Ezri Konsa offer future potential. Lewis Hall and Dan Burn provide left-sided options, each bringing contrasting physical profiles and technical abilities.

The goalkeeper situation remains straightforward: Jordan Pickford is number one, Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale provide experienced backup, whilst James Trafford and Steele represent wildcard selections for different reasons. Trafford possesses youth and potential; Steele brings… well, that remains to be seen.

The Bigger Picture

What this squad ultimately represents is uncertainty transformed into opportunity. Tuchel has three months to whittle 35 names down to 26, to identify his preferred tactical system, to establish partnerships and understand which players can handle the pressure of World Cup football. The expanded roster allows him to assess fringe candidates without burning bridges, to give genuine auditions whilst maintaining diplomatic relations with players who won’t make the final cut.

The split-camp structure will be fascinating to observe. Which players report early for maximum evaluation time? Which established stars receive extended rest? How Tuchel manages those dynamics, ensuring nobody feels disrespected or overlooked, will test his man-management skills as much as his tactical acumen.

For some in this squad, these March friendlies represent career-defining opportunities. Garner, Steele, and others on the fringes understand this might be their only chance to impress on the international stage. The pressure is immense, yet so is the possibility. One strong performance, one moment of quality, could be enough to secure a seat on that plane to North America.

For Alexander-Arnold, watching from Madrid, the message is brutally clear: past reputation counts for nothing. Tuchel demands present performance and future potential, and right now, the Real Madrid defender offers neither in sufficient quantities to warrant inclusion. Whether this exclusion motivates a response or confirms his international career’s effective conclusion remains to be seen.

England enter their final pre-tournament camp with more questions than answers, more candidates than positions, and more uncertainty than any nation would ideally want three months before a World Cup. Yet in that chaos lies opportunity. Tuchel’s gamble is that by casting his net wider than any predecessor, he’ll identify the perfect combination to finally end 60 years of hurt. Time will tell if this unprecedented experiment delivers the ultimate prize.