England boss Thomas Tuchel don announce im 26-man squad for 2026 World Cup, and e don cause plenty talk. Harry Maguire, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Luke Shaw no make cut, while Ivan Toney, John Stones, and Kobbie Mainoo dey among those wey go represent England for USA.
Tuchel explain say im dey build team, not just collect best players. ‘Teams win championships, e simple as dat. We dey try select and build di best possible team, wey no necessarily mean collect di 26 most talented players,’ e tok.
Di manager say e personally call every player wey don feature for im camps to tell dem di decision. ‘I dey very grateful to all di players wey don help us qualify. I call dem to show my respect and appreciation, even when e painful.’
Maguire, wey don play 64 times for England, bin release statement Thursday night say im dey ‘shocked and gutted’ by di omission. Im brother Joe call am ‘di worst decision I ever see for my life.’ But Tuchel say e bin surprise by di statement because dem don talk already.
Ivan Toney inclusion na big shock. Di 30-year-old striker wey play for Saudi side Al-Ahli don score 32 goals for 32 games dis season, but e don only play one match under Tuchel since June 2025. Tuchel say Toney fit be ‘very good addition to Harry Kane’ and e bring penalty specialist skill.
John Stones wey no start Premier League match since October still make squad. Tuchel say e trust Stones ability to play hybrid role, and e believe e fit contribute big for tournament. Oga say Stones lack of club minutes fit even be positive.
Kobbie Mainoo wey dey struggle for Manchester United at start of season don turn im game around after Michael Carrick appointment. E don become regular and e composure for midfield catch Tuchel eye.
Djed Spence wey dey suffer broken jaw still make squad ahead of Lewis Hall. Tuchel say Spence ‘excellent for every single match e play for us’ and e be ‘di quickest player for squad.’
Di squad get nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven strikers. Tuchel say e get ‘huge chunk of youthfulness’ with six players wey don win under-21 titles, plus Mainoo and Nico O’Reilly.
England go begin tournament against Croatia on June 17, den face Ghana and Panama for Group L. Dem go play friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica for Florida as preparation.
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