'Last opportunity to impress' - Tuchel names 35-man England squad

Thomas Tuchel said England's upcoming camp is the "last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket" to the World Cup this summer as he named an expanded 35-man squad.

It included two uncapped players in Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.

The extended squad saw recalls for Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, while AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori is back for the first time since October 2023.

Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns after more than five years since his last call-up and Dominic Solanke makes his first squad since October 2024.

But there is no place in Tuchel's squad for Real Madrid full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scottor Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.

Chelsea's Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, who were named in the last squad, miss out through injury.

The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations with friendlies at Wembley Stadium against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March.

"It's our the last camp [before the World Cup]. The last opportunity to impress and the last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket," Tuchel said.

Tuchel said to "get the best out of this camp" a decision was made to split it into two camps, with 11 players joining the squad after the Uruguay game.

The 11 players are: Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

"These guys have played 3,500 minutes, some 4,000 minutes. More important than the pure number of minutes is some of these guys have played more minutes than the whole of last season," Tuchel said.

"All of these players have contributed in September, October and November. They have credit with me. To give them a break mentally and physically, we will benefit from it."

Teams must submit their final World Cup squads by Saturday, 30 May.

When asked about Alexander-Arnold's omission, Tuchel said it was a "tough decision" to leave out the former Liverpool right-back.

"I know what Trent can give us and I decided still to stick to the players with us," the England boss added.

He said players like Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah offered "a slightly different profile" to Alexander-Arnold.

Tuchel also explained it was a similar situation for Watkins, with Calvert-Lewin and Solanke selected over the Villa striker.

"I want to have a look at two other players to get a better picture and have a clearer opinion," the 52-year-old German said.

Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham is included in the squad despite not playing for the club since early February because of a hamstring injury, while defender John Stones has made just two Manchester City appearances since early December.

Garner, who has started every game for the Toffees this season, said he was "really happy" about his first senior call-up.

"I was very confident it was going to come just on the basis that I've had a good season, so I finally got my chance and it's a dream come true," he said in a video posted on Everton's X account.

Tuchel said: "A bit of an underrated player. He plays several positions. I've been impressed, watching him live, by his work rate and physicality. He is a fantastic team-mate and does a lot to help those around him."

Meanwhile, England have said Steele, who has not made a single Premier League appearance for Brighton this season, is named "with the prospect of him joining the World Cup squad as a training goalkeeper during the summer".

The call-up is the 35-year-old's first at senior international level since he represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Tuchel was also asked about Arsenal teenager Max Dowman, who became the youngest scorer in Premier League history earlier this month.

The England boss described the 16-year-old as an "outstanding talent" but said there was "no need to call him up now and increase the pressure".

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)