Thomas Tuchel is preparing to name his first England squad this month as the Three Lions begin their journey toward the 2026 World Cup.
During his interim tenure, Lee Carsley introduced eight new faces to the squad, but more fresh talent is expected under Tuchel’s leadership.
Since officially taking over from Gareth Southgate in January, the former Chelsea boss has attended several Premier League matches, closely assessing potential call-ups.
England has been drawn into Group K for World Cup qualification, where they will face Serbia, Andorra, Albania, and Latvia.
The campaign kicks off this month, and Tuchel has already started reaching out to players in preparation for the upcoming fixtures.
Early Player Contacts and Key Absences
Some players have confirmed that they have already spoken with the 51-year-old coach, including Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Tottenham’s James Maddison.
Tuchel has also acknowledged making contact with Arsenal defender Ben White, who has remained away from the England setup since 2022.
However, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is one name that will definitely be absent, as he has been ruled out for the season due to injury.
One week to go until Thomas Tuchel’s first squad announcement as #ThreeLions head coach. 👊
📆 14/03/25
— England (@England) March 7, 2025
When Will Tuchel Announce His England Squad?
The official squad for the upcoming matches against Albania and Latvia will be revealed on Thursday, March 13.
While the exact time is yet to be confirmed, the announcement is expected to take place around 2PM, followed by a press conference where Tuchel will discuss his selections.
England Squad: Injuries and Selection Concerns
Tuchel faces several selection headaches, with key players struggling with injuries.
- Lewis Hall (Newcastle) – Out for the season
- Joe Gomez (Liverpool) – Sidelined with injury
- Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – Doubtful after picking up an injury in the FA Cup
- Luke Shaw (Manchester United) – Confirmed out
- Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) – Major doubt
- Mason Mount (Manchester United) – Ruled out
- John Stones (Manchester City) – Unavailable
- Noni Madueke (Chelsea) – A major doubt due to a hamstring issue
- Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) – Working towards full fitness, but may not recover in time
With multiple absentees, Tuchel may have to look at new faces to fill the gaps in his squad.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is among the in-form players who could catch the manager’s attention as he finalises his selections.
Tottenham’s Djed Spence is another name under consideration, as is Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
A first meeting at senior level. 🏴🇱🇻
Tickets are still available for Thomas Tuchel’s second game as #ThreeLions head coach 👇
— England (@England) March 6, 2025
What did FA Chief Mark Bullingham Say?
Mark Bullingham, the Football Association’s chief executive, has praised Tuchel’s dedication to his new role, noting a key difference from his predecessor, Gareth Southgate – the German manager has chosen to settle in London and is a frequent presence at St George’s Park.
“I think Thomas realised early on that you don’t build those connections in the six days you get together, so he’s put a lot of effort into that,” Bullingham said.
Tuchel has been proactive in building relationships with his squad, creating a long list of 55 players – including both domestic and international stars – ensuring they feel recognised and valued.
“I think he’s got 55 on this long list and makes sure that he’s got a strong connection with them, that they know that he’s seen them. It’s not only the players in England, it’s players playing abroad as well, and I think that that will only stand in a good stead in the long run,” Bullingham added.
The former Chelsea boss has not only maintained frequent contact with players through phone calls but has also traveled to meet key international figures like Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, and Jude Bellingham in person.
Could Tuchel Stay Beyond His Contract?
Bullingham also acknowledged Tuchel’s cultural awareness and adaptability, similar to Southgate. While the manager has signed an 18-month contract, there is speculation about whether he might stay longer. However, Tuchel remains cautious about long-term commitments.
“I think he always said: ‘I might be here for 10 years, but I’ll only ever sign up in two-year cycles’ effectively. And the reason for that is he just wants his sole focus to be on the next tournament and be really single-minded with the players on that, but it’s very early to judge, but I can say that he’s made a brilliant impact already, so we’re very happy with him,” Bullingham revealed.
Despite the short time in charge, Tuchel has already left a strong impression on the FA and his squad.
