Thomas Tuchel is set to name his first squad as England’s head coach this month as the road to the 2026 World Cup officially begins.
Lee Carsley handed eight players their Three Lions debuts during his six matches in interim charge but fresh blood will still be expected.
Former Chelsea manager Tuchel has been in attendance for a host of Premier League matches since officially starting his role as Gareth Southgate‘s permanent successor at the start of January.
England were drawn in Group K for World Cup qualifying alongside Serbia, Andorra, Albania, and Latvia, with their campaign starting this month.
The German has already begun contacting players ahead of the announcement.
Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Tottenham talisman James Maddison have both publicly revealed they’ve held talks with the 51-year-old.
Tuchel has also admitted he’s reached out to Arsenal defender Ben White, who has been on a self-imposed England exile since 2022.
One player who definitely won’t feature is Newcastle star Lewis Hall, who has been ruled out until the end of the season through injury.
When is the England squad announcement?
Tuchel will name his England squad for March’s games against Albania and Latvia on Thursday, March 13.
An official time is yet to be confirmed but is likely to be around 2pm – with a press conference explaining his picks to immediately follow.
talkSPORT will be at St George’s Park to bring you live coverage of the announcement and will speak to the England boss.
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England squad: Team news
Tuchel has several issues to contend with as defensive pair Hall and Joe Gomez are both sidelined through ankle and hamstring injuries.
Dominic Solanke is close to returning to full fitness for Spurs but this block of games may come too soon for him.
However, the ex-Bournemouth striker is ahead of Madueke in his return from injury, with the latter nursing his own hamstring issue.
Manchester United‘s England contingent has been decimated in recent weeks, with Harry Maguire becoming the latest crocked ace.
Maguire was forced off just before extra-time during the Red Devils’ FA Cup penalty shootout defeat to Fulham on Sunday.
He joins Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, and former Tuchel favourite Mason Mount in the treatment room.
- Lewis Hall (Newcastle) OUT
- Joe Gomez (Liverpool) OUT
- Dominic Solanke (Tottenham) DOUBT
- Harry Maguire (Manchester United) DOUBT
- Noni Madueke (Chelsea) MAJOR DOUBT
- Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) MAJOR DOUBT
- Luke Shaw (Manchester United) OUT
- Mason Mount (Manchester United) OUT
- John Stones (Manchester City) OUT
What has been said?
Tuchel has been urged to include a surprise name in his first England squad – Brighton striker Danny Welbeck.
The veteran forward has not featured for the national team in seven years, with his last cap coming against Switzerland in 2018.
However, Ally McCoist believes the 34-year-old’s recent form is enough to earn him a surprise call-up.
Asked if there is a chance Welbeck is in the squad, the talkSPORT co-host told Jeff Stelling on Breakfast: “Listen, I’ll tell you what, I’m on it. It’s the hardest job in the business, scoring goals, right? Definitely.
“Now, I wouldn’t see any reason why he couldn’t be and I’ll tell you why. Because you talk about specialised positions at this moment in time.
“Would Danny Welbeck start as a number nine for England? No, absolutely not. I don’t think so.
“But, say if you need a goal from somewhere with half an hour to go. If you’re a goal down at this level, you need to find a goal. Who at this moment in time, more than Danny Welbeck, would you fancy bringing off the bench?”
Meanwhile, Jamie O’Hara has surprisingly vetoed an England call-up for Djed Spence – and instead has tipped Arsenal rival Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Former Tottenham star O’Hara told talkSPORT after Spurs’ 1-0 win over Man United last month: “He’s playing in that position because he has been asked to me and he has done really well again.
“But I have to be honest. I think Myles Lewis-Skelly is the future left-back for England.
“I think there’s a lot of good players who all of a sudden could look like they could get into that England squad and do a job. I like Djed Spence. I think he is probably not far off a call-up.
“Left-back has been a massive issue for England. I think the future of England is looking like it might be Lewis-Skelly. I think they’ve got some good players coming through as usual Arsenal.
“I’d love to see Djed Spence in there but I just don’t know if he would be. I never like a left-back being right-footed.
“He’s done a job and he’s doing a great job but actually he was again one of our best players yesterday.”
