England head coach Thomas Tuchel has announced a 35-man squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan. Notably, experienced defender Harry Maguire, with 64 caps for England, returns to the national team after being left out since Tuchel assumed charge on January 1, 2025. Maguire’s strong performances for Manchester United have earned him a spot in the squad.
The squad also features young talent Kobbie Mainoo as England prepares for the upcoming World Cup. Despite a recent injury, midfield star Jude Bellingham has been included, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is absent from the selection. Tuchel explained the decision to have a larger squad, aiming to assess new players and intensify competition for spots in the team.
England will play both matches at Wembley Stadium later this month before additional friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica in June. The team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 journey begins on June 17 against Croatia in Dallas. England’s last World Cup victory dates back to 1966, and they aim to break the 60-year title drought in the upcoming tournament hosted by the USA and Mexico.
