Thomas Tuchel is making his final checks and choices ahead of naming England’s World Cup squad on Friday morning.
The back-to-back European Championship runners-up are among the favourites to triumph in North America and all eyes will be on Wembley as the coach makes his first tournament selection since succeeding Sir Gareth Southgate as manager.
Tuchel has attempted to build what he calls a “brotherhood” capable of triumphing at the biggest ever World Cup and will announce that squad at around 10am, before facing the media at an 11am press conference.
The German coach is set to name 26 players rather than an expanded group and spent Thursday making some final checks ahead of announcing his first tournament squad selection.
There are some headaches to consider like how to juggle England’s swathe of number 10 options, with Phil Foden and Cole Palmer sweating on their spots after below-par seasons.
Jude Bellingham’s relationship with Tuchel has been under the microscope but he is sure to be on the plane along with Morgan Rogers, with Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White also vying for a place.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a high-profile absentee this season but could benefit from Ben White’s injury, although Tuchel admitted in November that the Real Madrid right-back was behind Jarell Quansah.
The England boss needs reassuring over the fitness of Tino Livramento, who has been out for a month with a thigh injury, and is checking on Levi Colwill following the defender’s promising return to action.
Named in Tuchel’s first two squads, the Chelsea centre-back underwent surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury in August and has made three appearances since returning this month.
Key defender John Stones’ lack of game time at Manchester City is a consideration, but the England boss said in March that he had “a lot of credit in the bank”.
Dan Burn looks set to be included along with Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, with Harry Maguire facing a fight for a place along with Trevoh Chalobah.
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw could be forgiven for giving up on a World Cup spot having been ignored since the German took charge, even after starting every Premier League match this season.
Ollie Watkins will surely be recalled having been dropped in March.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke were trialled as captain Harry Kane’s back-up, but neither shone and the Aston Villa striker has scored 10 since being overlooked.
Danny Welbeck, 35, is admired by the coaching staff but has not played for England since 2018.
Kobbie Mainoo’s resurgence at United puts him in with a strong shout, while Adam Wharton and James Garner – man of the match on his March debut against Uruguay – are pushing for inclusion.
Myles Lewis-Skelly looks an outside bet despite his Arsenal resurgence given Tuchel has used him as left-back rather than midfield.
The Football Association has to submit their 26-man squad to FIFA on May 31 but can make changes to outfield players for medical reasons up until 24 hours before the Group L opener against Croatia on June 17.
Only goalkeepers can be changed after this point. Brighton’s Jason Steele is set to travel as a training goalkeeper – a role filled by Tom Heaton at Euro 2024.
