Thomas Tuchel assembles first England World Cup squad as German coach
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager makes bold selection calls as England chase their first major trophy since 1966
England’s 60-year wait for a major trophy now rests in the hands of a German. Thomas Tuchel, appointed as the Three Lions’ head coach back in October 2024, has named his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, and the selections are already generating the kind of heated debate that only English football can produce.
The headline decisions: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are out. Jordan Henderson is in.
A German leading England into battle
Tuchel officially took charge on January 1, 2025, signing an initial 18-month contract specifically designed to cover the World Cup cycle. He is the third non-British permanent manager in England’s history, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. But he’s the first German to hold the position, a fact that carries its own particular weight given the deep footballing rivalry between the two nations.
The English Football Association clearly sees Tuchel’s appointment as a strategic play. His CV backs up the gamble. The man won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, reached the final with Paris Saint-Germain, and managed Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
The squad selections that broke the internet
Tuchel’s May 2026 squad announcement omitted Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, two of the Premier League’s most creative talents. Foden, in particular, has been a fixture in England squads for years.
Then there’s the Alexander-Arnold omission. Liverpool’s right-back has long divided opinion at international level. The inclusion of Jordan Henderson, a veteran midfielder, represents experience and leadership in a squad that will need both in a tournament environment.
Sixty years and counting
England’s 1966 World Cup victory exists as both the foundation of English football identity and the source of its deepest frustration. The near-misses have been particularly painful in recent years: a World Cup semifinal in 2018, a European Championship final in 2021 lost on penalties at home, and another Euros final in 2024 lost to Spain.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, features an expanded 48-team format. England’s tournament begins on June 17, 2026.
Tuchel is the third non-British permanent manager in England’s history. Eriksson reached a quarterfinal. Capello didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2010.