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England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed the 26-man England squad that will head to the FIFA World Cup this summer on Friday. <\/strong><\/p>\n The German coach faced several questions from the media on his selection decisions, his leadership group, bringing extra players to the training camp and what it will take to win the tournament.<\/p>\n Here is every word from his press conference.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom day one we were clear we were trying to build the best possible team. Not necessarily the 26 most talented players. Teams win championships \u2013 and what we\u2019re trying to achieve can only be achieved as a team.<\/p>\n \u201cNine defenders for four positions, seven midfielders for three positions and seven forwards for three positions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have players ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have six players who won titles with the U21s, we have Kobbie (Mainoo) who is still young and won, Nico (O\u2019Reilly) who is very young and has already won his medals.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have specialists for different scenarios; when we\u2019re leading or chasing a result. We have set-piece specialists for that and we want to be a strong penalty team, we have specialists for that.<\/p>\n \u201cThe majority of this selection is from the players who were with us in September, October and November.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to say I\u2019m grateful to all players who helped us qualify. I tried to show my appreciation in telling them in personal phone calls. I called every player who was at least once with us to tell them my decision \u2013 even if it was a disappointing message.\u201d<\/p>\n Read \u2013\u00a0England squad revealed ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAlso a bit of a surprise to us! When it came down to all different kinds of scenarios he was back in the picture. I had fantastic feedback from his club coach who was my player (Matthias Jaissle at Stuttgart youth team).<\/p>\n \u201cWe could see he still collects the numbers. He has very special skills that could help us when we\u2019re chasing a goal. He can be a valuable addition to (Harry) Kane, a presence in the box, he can take attention off other strikers, he\u2019s a natural finisher, he can help us at set-pieces and he\u2019s a world-class penalty taker.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very confident in the group we chose. Very difficult decisions. Painful conversations. Difficult to explain to the players. But what we try to achieve we achieve as a team.<\/p>\n \u201cIf everyone is selected, it\u2019s a given we have to leave some extraordinary players, personalities at home.<\/p>\n \u201cI like these decisions \u2013 even if they took us weeks, months \u2013 they bring clarity, a certain edge that is necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cFor some of them it\u2019s just the amount of players in a certain position. We want to give (the players) a clear role.\u201d<\/p>\n Read \u2013\u00a0Tuchel explains \u2018very difficult\u2019 decision to exclude key England trio<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI was a bit surprised. But I respect his personality and quality a lot. I can see the disappointment and reason behind it.<\/p>\n \u201cStill I was a bit surprised because we had a private conversation and he had the chance to express his feelings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe stood firmly with our central defenders who carried us through September, October, November. Some of them are part of the leadership group who set the standards high.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a March and June camp. And then it was pretty clear who should be in there.<\/p>\n \u201cI see no value in sharing it with you. It\u2019s a group of five, six players. They were massively influential. I was happy with how they acted and stepped up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will take some young players to train with us and keep the squad the size we need.<\/p>\n \u201cAlex Scott. Rio Ngumoha. Josh King. And there will be one more player we cannot name because it\u2019s not confirmed yet.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m happy these guys are with us, especially Alex who was on the list of 55 and had a disappointing phone call that he didn\u2019t make the first cut. But the reaction of him was outstanding, the wish to be in pre-camp and close to the team, it wasn\u2019t even a question for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad he\u2019s with us because it was a close call and he has a chance to get a first camp.\u201d<\/p>\n Come Together. pic.twitter.com\/BAsCH4YCjx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 England (@England) May 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cI heard a quote from Rafael Nadal: \u2018I\u2019m not a winner, I\u2019m a competitor\u2019. That\u2019s how I arrive in the US for this tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about building a brotherhood and a certain energy, then we can transmit that to our fans. Once we get that right anything is possible.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will try to win this tournament. But it makes no sense to try to digest the whole cake at once, we will chunk it up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are two of the names of potential starters on the same position. They can also play together. If they compete for one position, it is possible as accomplices, you don\u2019t have to be enemies. They are friends anyway.<\/p>\n \u201cBukayo (Saka) and Noni (Madueke) fight for the same place in the club. You can fight and push your friend to the best possible performance.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve no doubt they will be decisive for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a huge believer in John. I think he\u2019s a world-class player, amazing character and proven winner.<\/p>\n \u201cHe knows how to adapt tactically on the field. He\u2019s still on the highest level when I see him play. We analysed a lot of his training data because there\u2019s not a lot of evidence in the second half of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can take advantage of our late start in the tournament in this case. We have the chance to let him play two friendly matches then I believe he will have a strong tournament for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJarrod was excellent in every camp for us and then gets the phone call he\u2019s not on the plane.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes he suffer with the situation at his camp? Does Noni and Bukayo benefit from the situation at their club?<\/p>\n \u201cThe reaction of Jarrod was outstanding \u2013 it proved again the character he is.<\/p>\n \u201cNoni \u2013 I believe he can be a difference-maker, in his ability to change matches and disrupt defensive organisations with his one-on-one ability.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was excellent in every match he played for us. He suffers from a third change of coach at his club, since then he doesn\u2019t get a lot of minutes. He suffers from the situation, is part of the situation at Tottenham.<\/p>\n \u201cHe loves defending, he\u2019s the fastest player in our squad and he loves defending one-on-ones. That\u2019s what makes him a special full-back for us. He can play both sides.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore the March camp we said \u2018you don\u2019t get the minutes (with Spurs)\u2019 if you come here you have to prove yourself again. And Djed and Tino were excellent against Uruguay. That was the decision I could really trust him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need a bit of luck We need our selection right. Stay healthy. Catch a momentum. Build a brotherhood. Play with courage, hunger. And take advantage of special moments.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce we go hopefully to knockout football it\u2019s a game of margins. It won\u2019t be done without nerves of steel.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everything is in our hands but it\u2019s good to have the goal spoken out. We did this early in the first camp. Then straight away we said let\u2019s focus on what we can influence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt shows me this league is the strongest league in the world, the most competitive. And it shows on the negative effect our players will be tired after a long season. That\u2019s how it is.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make it easier to go to three countries, the big climatic change. We had support from Team GB.\u00a0It will never be an excuse.<\/p>\n \u201cIt goes back to getting the load right in pre-camp, getting the attitude right, don\u2019t go too early into the \u2018tunnel\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe impact he had on every league where he trained.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s one of a kind. One of the very best. He made a big revolution with the way he played in Barcelona, made everything upside down in the German league and then came here and crushing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe highest, highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n Read \u2013 Power Rankings: Roma and Aston Villa gatecrash top 10<\/strong><\/p>\n On This Day \u2013 Man United beat Chelsea in first all-English Champions League final<\/strong><\/p>\n Facebook\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram\u00a0| Twitter<\/a> | YouTube | TikTok<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nEngland boss Tuchel\u2019s World Cup squad announcement in full:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Tuchel\u2019s opening remarks:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On calling up Ivan Toney:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On leaving out Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On Harry Maguire\u2019s comments after being omitted:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On England\u2019s leadership group:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On bringing additional players to the training camp:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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On winning the World Cup:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers battling for the no.10 role:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On John Stones\u2019 inclusion:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On leaving out Jarrod Bowen:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On selecting Djed Spence:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On what England need to win the World Cup:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On tired England players:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
On Pep Guardiola\u2019s legacy at Manchester City:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Follow the Football Faithful on Social Media:<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n