Thomas Tuchel has already confirmed 16 players for England’s 26-man World Cup squad in 2026
Thomas Tuchel Reveals 16 Players Already Locked In for England’s 2026 World Cup Squad Amid Mixed Early Results
New England manager Thomas Tuchel has already set the foundation for his long-term plans by confirming that 16 players have secured their spots in his provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tuchel, who succeeded Gareth Southgate following England’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024, took over the reins with a reputation for tactical precision and strong leadership. The former head coach of Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain is now tasked with leading the Three Lions into a new era — and he’s wasting no time in laying down a vision for success.
Since taking charge, Tuchel has overseen three international fixtures, starting with promising victories against Albania, Latvia, and Andorra. His reign began positively, but not without moments of concern — particularly after a lackluster 1-0 win over Andorra that exposed some lingering issues in England’s play.
Speaking to the press after announcing his most recent England squad, Tuchel was asked about his thinking regarding the 2026 World Cup in North America. While the final tournament squad will be comprised of 26 players, the German tactician disclosed that he already has a core group in mind.
“I would say we’ve already identified around 16 players,” Tuchel revealed. “But of course, that number is not set in stone. It could be more, it could be less — it’s only an early estimate. We still have time and many games ahead to assess form, fitness, and team chemistry.”
However, Tuchel’s confidence in certain players hasn’t overshadowed his demand for consistent performances. After the win over Andorra — a match in which England struggled to find rhythm — Tuchel didn’t shy away from criticizing his team’s overall display.
“I wasn’t pleased with the performance at all,” he admitted. “We started the game with good intensity for the first 20 to 25 minutes. That stretch looked promising — we were dominant, created a number of chances and had set-pieces in our favor. I felt the goal would come sooner or later.”
“But after that period, we completely lost our momentum. We couldn’t regain control for the rest of the first half. Even though we saw a brief improvement in the early stages of the second half, it wasn’t nearly enough. We lacked urgency, energy, and most importantly, quality.”
Tuchel made it clear that performances like the one against Andorra don’t align with the standards he expects from an England side hoping to challenge on the world stage.
“We have to be honest with ourselves — that kind of showing is simply not good enough,” he said firmly. “We need to address these issues in detail, confront them head-on, and improve immediately — starting with our next match against Senegal.”
Unfortunately for Tuchel and his squad, things didn’t go as planned in that encounter either. Facing Senegal at the City Ground, England initially took the lead through captain Harry Kane. But the visitors hit back before halftime, with Ismaila Sarr finding the net in the 40th minute to level the score.
The second half saw England trail for the first time under Tuchel’s management, as Habib Diarra put Senegal ahead in the 62nd minute. A potential equaliser was ruled out after a VAR review, further frustrating the hosts. Then, in the dying moments of the match, Cheikh Sabaly added a third for Senegal, sealing a 3-1 defeat for the Three Lions.
The loss marked Tuchel’s first setback since taking charge — a reminder that rebuilding England into a world-class force will take more than just bold squad selections and early wins. It will require cohesion, adaptability, and above all, consistency.
Despite the result, Tuchel remains focused on the long-term objective. With the 2026 World Cup less than two years away, he is clearly using every opportunity to evaluate his squad, solidify his tactical identity, and identify the right blend of youth and experience to carry England forward.
As the new era continues to take shape, all eyes will be on Tuchel to see whether he can turn England’s raw potential into tournament glory.