Shock call-up for Ivan Toney, no room for Maguire, On Friday, May 22, 2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel announced his 26-man World Cup squad from Wembley Stadium, selecting Ivan Toney and John Stones while omitting Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
Toney’s inclusion follows his prolific season with Al-Ahli, where he scored 32 goals. At the same time, Tuchel’s decision to exclude high-profile players reflects tactical adjustments after disappointing March friendly performances against Uruguay and Japan.
Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for this summer’s World Cup, handing a shock call-up to Ivan Toney, picking Djed Spence over the exiled Trent Alexander-Arnold and, as expected, finding no space for Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.
Tuchel, charged with leading England to glory in Canada, Mexico and the US, called players about his plans on Wednesday and Thursday and confirmed his selection on Friday morning.
The German has gone against the public mood with some of his calls, not least with the decision to bring in Toney from the cold.
The Al-Ahli striker has not played for England since June 2025 but has scored 42 goals for the Saudi Pro League side and was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad at Euro 2024.
Tuchel, perhaps surprisingly, has picked two strikers to provide cover for Harry Kane, with Aston Villa’s Ivan Toney also included.
That meant the available slots in the No 10 position went to Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze, leaving no room for Palmer and Foden after disappointing seasons for Chelsea and Manchester City respectively. Palmer has struggled for form and fitness, and Tuchel is thought to have reservations over whether the 24-year-old has the personality for a camp that could last seven weeks.
With Morgan Gibbs-White also excluded, Tuchel has not been afraid to make some unpopular decisions.
Many England fans will be wondering why Alexander-Arnold has not made the cut. The Real Madrid right-back has not been in a squad since last June, though, and Tuchel has gone on the record to say he does not trust him defensively.
Alexander-Arnold was so low down the pecking order that the last name to be confirmed in the squad was Spence, who has been in and out of the Tottenham side this season. Spence also sustained a broken jaw after being fouled by Chelsea’s Liam Delap on Tuesday.
