England World Cup Door Still Open, Says Tuchel
England head coach Thomas Tuchel says there is still hope for players aiming to join his 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, despite disappointment for some in his recent announcement.
Squad Announcement
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Manchester City's Phil Foden have returned to the 25-man squad selected for the final qualifiers against Serbia and Albania next week. However, there was less positive news for others, including Everton's Jack Grealish, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, and Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, who were notably absent.
Notable Omissions
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Morgan Gibbs-White
With time running out, these players must impress Tuchel before his final squad pick in March, ahead of the World Cup selection in May.
Tuchel’s Perspective
"I will also be open because I know anything can happen. You don't wish for injuries but it can happen in short notice."
"My thoughts now are more for the camps for September, October and November. But my thoughts for the [FIFA] World Cup will then start after this camp and the qualification phase is over."
"This was an important cycle for me and this is the third part of the cycle, so it's not finished. This is where all the attention goes now."
Outlook
Tuchel insisted the door remains open despite having a "settled mind" about who will be taken to North America for the World Cup.
Summary: Thomas Tuchel confirms the England World Cup squad is still open to change, emphasizing that unexpected events could alter his final 2026 selection.