England's Official World Cup 2026 Squad Announced: Tuchel Reveals 26 Names with The Beatles' "Come Together" — Foden, Palmer, Maguire and Alexander-Arnold Out, Rashford and Henderson Return, Kane Captains Third World Cup

The England national team has formalized its most anticipated decision in recent months. According to England Football's official statement, Thomas Tuchel announced the 26 players who will represent England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Led by captain Harry Kane, the selection was revealed in a show broadcast live from Wembley Stadium via the official England app. The squad announcement was made with a special film soundtracked by The Beatles' iconic "Come Together." Filmed in New York and directed by Keane Shaw and Pete Martin, the film brings each player's name to life across a New York cityscape — from music venues to cinemas — weaving in subtle references to the cultural impact The Beatles had in the US in the 1960s and beyond.

The most striking aspect of the squad is the big names left out. According to Goal.com, stars like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were not in Tuchel's 26-man squad. Foden, who experienced form problems at Manchester City this season, paid the price for getting into the squad; Chelsea's 2024 England Player of the Year Cole Palmer was left out of the squad after a 14-game goalless streak at club and country. Even Morgan Gibbs-White, who displayed his career-best scoring performance (17 goals) at Nottingham Forest, was not included in the squad. Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace, James Garner from Everton, and Jarrod Bowen from West Ham were also left out of the squad. Veteran forwards like Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Leeds could not find a place on the list either.

Those returning to the squad drew attention. Marcus Rashford, shining on loan at Barcelona, returned to the national team after about a year's absence. Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, playing at Brentford, was also included in the squad; Henderson, along with Sir Bobby Charlton, will reach the achievement of participating for a record fourth time in England's World Cup finals. This will be Henderson's seventh major tournament and will equal Lucy Bronze's all-time England record of UEFA European Championship and World Cup finals appearances (seven). The return of Henderson and Rashford shows the importance Tuchel places on experience — there are six players with 60+ caps in the squad.

Captain Harry Kane stands at the center of the squad. Kane, who had a magnificent season at Bayern Munich, will lead England as captain at his third World Cup and will equal Billy Wright's record (1950, 1954, 1958). In addition to Kane, Jordan Pickford, John Stones, and Marcus Rashford will also participate in their third World Cup. The names who will be at their second World Cup are Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka. From the EURO 2024 squad, Dean Henderson, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, and Reece James will be on the World Cup stage for the first time.

A total of nine players will make their first major tournament appearance. According to England Football's statement, James Trafford, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Elliot Anderson, Noni Madueke, and Morgan Rogers will wear the shirt at a senior tournament for the first time. Livramento, Quansah, and Anderson were part of the squad that won the UEFA U21 European Championship last summer; this emulates the achievement of Trafford, Gordon, and Madueke in 2023. Jason Steele will join the team as a training goalkeeper. This influx of young players shows that Tuchel is bravely implementing generational change.

Here is England's official 26-man World Cup 2026 squad:

Goalkeepers (3): Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders (9): Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders (7): Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards (7): Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Tuchel gave an emotional message in the squad announcement. In his statement to England Football, the German manager said: "It is truly exciting and a great privilege to be able to name an England squad for the World Cup. It has been a tough process to decide on the nomination, but I have full belief in this group of players. They all deserve their place. The squad and everyone involved with the team will give all we can to make the country proud. We know they are behind us and we hope for a very special summer." These words reflect Tuchel's goal of ending the 60-year championship longing.

England's World Cup schedule has also become clear. The Three Lions will come together from June 1 at their prep camp in Palm Beach, Florida; the players from Arsenal and Crystal Palace who participated in two European cup finals will join later. After two warm-up matches — New Zealand in Tampa on June 6, Costa Rica in Orlando on June 10 — the whole group will head to the team's permanent tournament base, Kansas City, on Saturday, June 13. England will play their first match in Group L against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17 (9pm BST). Other group matches will be against Ghana in Boston on June 23 and Panama in New York/New Jersey on June 27.

England is going to this tournament as a 2024 European Championship finalist and with the goal of ending the championship longing that has lasted since 1966 — that is, 60 years. Tuchel's squad has a character that blends experience and youth; on one side, experienced names like Kane, Henderson, Rashford, Pickford, and on the other, young talents like Mainoo, O'Reilly, Madueke, Rogers. Although the exclusion of big names like Foden, Palmer, Maguire, and Alexander-Arnold creates controversy, Tuchel made his decision based on "form, camp performance, and system fit." Now eyes have turned to the Croatia match on June 17 and England's great adventure on the American continent — this is being evaluated as a historic opportunity for the Three Lions.