England fans vent their anger after three key stars were left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first squad as omissions branded a ‘disgrace’

Thomas Tuchel officially announced his first England squad on Friday morning, marking the beginning of his tenure as the national team’s head coach. However, the German’s selection choices were met with frustration and debate among fans, particularly due to the omission of three notable players.
Having succeeded Gareth Southgate on a permanent basis, Tuchel began his 18-month stint as England’s manager on January 1. His first real test will come later this month, with back-to-back fixtures at Wembley against Albania and Latvia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The highly anticipated squad announcement saw 26 players named for the upcoming camp at St George’s Park. However, Tuchel’s selections were undoubtedly shaped by injuries to key players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, and Harry Maguire, which opened the door for fresh faces. Among the most unexpected inclusions were Newcastle United’s Dan Burn and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, both of whom have earned their maiden England call-ups.

Surprise Call-Ups and Recalled Veterans

Tuchel’s squad included some surprising names, notably the recall of seasoned defenders Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson, despite the latter’s controversial switch to Ajax following his Saudi Pro League stint. Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, also made a return to the squad, reflecting his recent resurgence in form.
Additionally, Jarell Quansah and Reece James were among the notable inclusions, adding to the mix of fresh talent and experience. But while some fans were pleased to see promising young players given opportunities, there was significant uproar over those who missed out.

Fan Outrage Over Three Key Omissions

The most contentious aspect of Tuchel’s selection was the absence of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, and Tottenham full-back Djed Spence. These omissions triggered an immediate backlash, with fans taking to social media to express their disappointment.
Gibbs-White, who has been one of the standout performers for Forest in what has been an impressive campaign for the Premier League’s third-best side, was widely expected to be included. Similarly, Wharton—who has been a rising star for Crystal Palace—was reportedly contacted by Tuchel himself, who had told him he was monitoring his performances closely. Despite this, the 20-year-old was left out, further fueling frustration among supporters.
However, the biggest outcry came regarding Djed Spence’s exclusion, as England continues to struggle with depth in the right-back position. Many felt the Tottenham full-back, currently enjoying a strong season, had done more than enough to earn a place.
Fans vented their frustrations online, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) blasting:
“Some of the selections and some of the exclusions are a disgrace.”
Another compared Tuchel’s decisions to his predecessor, sarcastically asking:
“Jordan Henderson over Adam Wharton? Jesus Christ, is Southgate back?”
A third expressed disbelief at Spence’s exclusion, simply writing:
“No Spence???????”
Another fan passionately defended the Tottenham defender, stating:
“Justice for Djed Spence, Tuchel you need to watch the guy more.”
Meanwhile, Gibbs-White’s omission also sparked disappointment, with one supporter summing it up:
“No Gibbs-White? Very disappointing considering how good he’s been.”

High-Profile Players Also Left Out

Beyond the headline omissions of Gibbs-White, Wharton, and Spence, Tuchel’s selections also left several established stars out of the squad. Manchester City duo Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, and Lille’s Angel Gomes all failed to make the cut.
Grealish’s absence, in particular, raised eyebrows, given his pedigree and experience at the international level. His form for Manchester City has been inconsistent this season, but many expected his versatility and attacking creativity to warrant a call-up. Gallagher, a regular under Southgate, was also left out despite his energetic performances for Chelsea.

England’s New Era Under Tuchel Begins

With the squad now confirmed, Tuchel will begin preparations for England’s first matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Three Lions will host Albania at Wembley on Friday, March 21, followed by a fixture against Latvia on March 24.
Here is Tuchel’s full 26-man squad for his first England camp:

Goalkeepers:

Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)

Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton)

James Trafford (Burnley)

Defenders:

Dan Burn (Newcastle United)

Levi Colwill (Chelsea)

Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

Reece James (Chelsea)

Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)

Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)

Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)

Kyle Walker (AC Milan, on loan from Manchester City)

Midfielders:

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Jordan Henderson (Ajax)

Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards:

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)

Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, on loan from Manchester United)

Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)

Conclusion: A Divisive Start for Tuchel

As Tuchel embarks on his tenure as England manager, his first squad selection has already generated intense debate and scrutiny. While some fresh faces have been rewarded with a chance to impress, the omission of Gibbs-White, Wharton, and Spence has sparked frustration.
With two crucial World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Tuchel will hope that his chosen squad justifies his decisions. However, the backlash from fans suggests that he will be under immense pressure to get results and prove that his selection process was the right one.
All eyes will now be on Wembley later this month, where the Tuchel era officially begins. Will his bold squad choices pay off, or will England’s fans have even more reasons to question their new manager?