On Thursday, Thomas Tuchel spent nearly four hours calling the England players who were not called up to explain the decision to choose the list of 26 players for the 2026 World Cup. According to the German strategist, his goal is to build a team capable of overcoming all challenges in the 7-week journey of the tournament.
This is considered the biggest World Cup in history, which means more variables than any previous tournament have appeared, especially in terms of playing conditions. Instead of simply gathering the 26 most talented players, Tuchel said he wants to prepare for every situation that the England team may face.
We need experts for each different situation" - Tuchel emphasized. That is also the reason Ivan Toney was chosen thanks to his excellent penalty kick ability.
The German strategist also prioritizes players who can play versatilely, especially in the context that competition conditions are predicted to be very harsh.
Basically, the main squad of the England team has almost been shaped, especially in attack. Reece James is likely to play right-back, but can also take on the role of supporting the midfield when necessary. Above Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson will be Jude Bellingham, with Morgan Rogers competing for a position behind the trio Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane.
This is considered a quality framework, capable of causing difficulties for any opponent. However, the depth of the squad is still a matter of discussion.
Most of the top stars of the England team are concentrated in the same area, especially the number 10 position. According to Tuchel, trying to cram all the best players into a squad does not always work.
The lesson from EURO 2024 is still valuable, as England once had difficulty in arranging the squad because too many players played in the midfield area. Cutting personnel in this area is considered a way to help the system operate more balancedly.
That is what led to controversial decisions, with cases being dropped such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White. Foden has not left much of an impression in Manchester City's colors this season, while Cole Palmer has only returned after physical problems and has not reached his best condition. Gibbs-White's case is considered less fortunate, but Tuchel affirmed that these are necessary decisions.
That's part of the job. If you bring these players in, you are forced to eliminate other big names. I like such decisions because they create competition" - Tuchel shared.
According to the German strategist, bringing too many players to play in the number 10 role is unnecessary, especially when Harry Kane or Bukayo Saka can both take on this position when needed.
Despite many controversies, Jude Bellingham is still considered an indispensable factor. Tuchel also highly appreciates Morgan Rogers for his ability to adapt to the tactical system as well as stable performance throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze was chosen not only for his expertise but also for his positive influence in the dressing room. This is a factor that Tuchel especially values, especially in the context that players will have to live together for a long time at the tournament.
Jordan Henderson was also called up for the same reason. This veteran midfielder is considered a factor capable of maintaining order and supporting young teammates.
Tuchel also denied rumors that he had problems with the personality of Cole Palmer or Harry Maguire. According to him, the important thing is not who is the problem, but the ability to adapt to the role and react when not starting in a long tournament.
I can assure the fans that all 26 players are completely committed, understand their roles and are ready to put the team first" - Tuchel affirmed.
Regarding Maguire's case, the German coach said he was quite surprised by the reaction of this center-back after being eliminated. However, the final decision was still maintained because the coaching staff trusted the center-backs who had accompanied the team from September to November.
Although Maguire possesses many valuable qualities, Tuchel believes that no player is irreplaceable in the current England team. The defense is still considered the biggest weakness, while the team also lacks a midfielder with real ball control ability.
That is why Tuchel has to build many different plans to adapt to hot weather conditions as well as the harsh nature of the tournament.
Despite the controversies often seen around each announcement of the England squad, Tuchel still maintains his position. He believes that he has chosen the most suitable squad for a special tournament in every sense.
