England head coach Thomas Tuchel has named his first squad since taking charge ahead of this month’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. The German has named the 26 players available for selection for the Wembley double-header as the Three Lions kick off their qualification campaign for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The biggest surprise is the return of 34-year-old Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson, who had been omitted from previous squads by previous boss Gareth Southgate and interim coach Lee Carsley after moving to Saudi Arabia. Marcus Rashford and Reece James have also earned recalls despite long absences from the national team.

Tuchel will also have the opportunity to hand first England caps to Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly following his impressive performances for the Gunners. Newcastle defender Dan Burn, 32, has been rewarded for his consistent performances for the Magpies and may get the chance to win his first cap. Tuchel will make his debut in the England dugout in front of a sold-out Wembley on Friday, March 21 against Albania, before welcoming Latvia three days later at the same venue.

It marks an opportunity for Henderson, who hasn’t been part of the squad since November 2023 after leaving Liverpool for Al-Ettifaq, to revitalise his international career. Now playing in the Netherlands with Ajax, the veteran midfielder has been used in a bit-part role for his club.

But Tuchel has leaned on experience to try and make a winning start to his England managerial career. He has demonstrated that by also including Kyle Walker – currrently on loan at AC Milan from Manchester City – amongst his defensive options. Tuchel’s preparations have been typically meticulous as he showed during his 18-month spell as Chelsea manager, with the 51-year-old assembling a huge of 55 players to narrow down his choices.

One of them is Rashford, who hasn’t been a part of the national team setup since 2023. But with 17 goals in 60 caps, Tuchel has backed Rashford to rediscover his form at international level after his recent reprieve since moving to Aston Villa on loan.

The 27-year-old is yet to score for the Midlands outfit but his assists have demonstrated his ability after being frozen out at Manchester United. The Red Devils do not have any representatives in the squad, with seasoned England stars Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both not fit and Kobbie Mainoo ruled out for the long-term.

Notable absentees include the likes of Ipswich striker Liam Delap, after scoring 10 goals this season for the Tractor Boys, and Ethan Nwaneri, the 17-year-old starlet who has broken into the Arsenal first-team.

Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford

Defenders: Marc Guehi, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn, Kyle Walker, Myles Lewis-Skelly

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers

Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke, Harry Kane