Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad: Latest updates for March 2025 roster as Cole Palmer withdraws from WCQs

England’s Thomas Tuchel era began in earnest on Monday, March 16 when his first squad assembled at St George’s Park.

The Three Lions begin their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup with home matches against Albania and  Latvia.

Tuchel has taken up the reins as head coach after Gareth Southgate’s superb tenure saw England reach the finals of the past two European Championships, along with respective semifinal and quarterfinal runs at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

“I don’t think a lot is missing. Obviously, it is missing a little bit because [England] are consecutively in semifinals and finals and the feeling is it is just a little step to bring it over the line,” the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss told reporters after his squad was announced. “I am very convinced that if we want to be prepared to be in the next final and make the last step, we need to do it now in the first camp.

“As boring as it may sound for you, if you go on a journey, it starts with the first step. This journey starts clearly with the first camp. We only have six camps, we only have 60 days. We need to take care of every single day and make sure we are on point. If we do this, hopefully the last step takes care of itself. We need a bit of luck, we need the momentum.”

The Sporting News brings you a breakdown of the squad, with a keen eye on who is in and who misses out.

MORE: What England’s Thomas Tuchel appointment says about English football

USMNT roster for March 2025 CONCACAF Nations League

Tuchel released his squad list for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania and Latvia on March 14, calling 26 players into the squad.

Under UEFA’s revised format, England are in one of the six five-team groups that begin qualification in March. Six four-team groups will begin qualification in September. This is to make allowances for the four teams competing in June’s 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals.

Every team will play each nation in their group home and away. The group winners advance to the World Cup automatically, with the runners-up entering the playoff phase.

MORE: Is Thomas Tuchel a good coach?

International caps are up to date as of Monday, March 17, 2025.

• Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) called up on March 16 after Cole Palmer withdrew through injury

Rashford, Henderson recalled; first call-ups for Burn, Lewis-Skelly

One criticism of England’s often-laboured progress to the final of Euro 2024 was that Gareth Southgate’s squad lacked experience and leadership.

Tuchel has sought to remedy this by recalling two stalwarts of the Southgate era, who missed out on the plane to Germany.  Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson have 141 caps between them.

Rashford has looked revitalised since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United. Henderson, who started his first Ajax game for a month against AZ and will be 36 at the time of the next World Cup, is a little harder to fathom as a selection.

Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly has earned a maiden call-up and could come straight into the side given England’s lack of options at left-back. Newcastle defender Dan Burn celebrated his first England inclusion with the opening goal in the 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool.

Who missed the cut in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad

Jack Grealish impressed during Lee Carsley’s interim tenure but his lack of minutes at Manchester City since the turn of the year have counted against him.

Ollie Watkins missed out due to a minor knee complaint. Expect England’s matchwinner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinal to return for the June fixtures.

Carsley gave opportunities to a host of young players during his time stepping up from the England Under 21s. Tuchel selecting Henderson ahead of the likes of Angel Gomes and Adam Wharton feels like a notable change in emphasis. Morgan Gibbs-White felt like a cruel omission until Cole Palmer‘s injury opened the door.

How to watch England’s World Cup qualifiers vs. Albania and Latvia

England vs. Albania

England vs. Latvia