England have announced their 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, and fans have slammed Thomas Tuchel’s controversial selection choices as superstars left at home
England supporters have given their reactions to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, with many expressing their anger at the selection. The Three Lions have revealed their 26-man roster ahead of the tournament, with several major players left out.
Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer are just three prominent names omitted from the squad. There was also no room for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall or Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton despite widespread calls for his inclusion.
There’s a place for the likes of Jordan Henderson, Ivan Toney, Noni Madueke, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence. The decision has sparked a massive response on social media, with supporters not holding back their bafflement.
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“Group stage exit CONFIRMED,” one said. “This is a disgraceful squad, what is he doing?” A second asked. Another supporter said: “That defence is shocking.” A fourth added: “Genuinely that is dire.”
Others also made their feelings clear. “Can’t wait to not make it out the group,” another fan wrote, “That defence is horrible, like really poor,” a sixth said.
“A seventh supporter said: That’s a horrid selection. Simple as that,” while another fan added: “Embarrassing. Said Tuchel will not do anything with us, can’t even pick a decent squad.”
There was, however, some optimism following the announcement. “After all this talk about big players not being picked watch us go win it,” one fan said. Another fan chimed in: “Other than Wharton for Henderson and MLS for Spence, I’m ok with that squad. Not going off name value, not going with out of form players, not trying to fit square pegs in round holes.”
A third supporter commented: “Looks a good squad to me. Foden and Palmer haven’t been good enough
“Maguire my opinion only a risk not worth taking. At last in Tuchel we have an England manager doing his own thing, not pandering to the Ego’s, or the press, good on him.”
England will start their World Cup journey on 17 June (9pm) when they face Croatia in their Group L opener. They’ll then play Ghana on 23 June (9pm), before squaring off against Panama in their final group match on 27 June (10pm).
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins