England fans left fuming after duo left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for World Cup qualifier
England Fans Outraged as Tuchel Leaves Out Two Key Stars from Latest World Cup Qualifying Squad
England supporters have voiced their frustration after national team manager Thomas Tuchel omitted two in-form players from his latest squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier.
Tuchel, who officially took charge of the Three Lions earlier this year, made an encouraging start to his tenure with back-to-back wins in March. England comfortably beat Albania 2-0, followed by a solid 3-0 victory over Latvia, both matches taking place at Wembley Stadium.
Now, the Three Lions are gearing up to resume their World Cup qualifying campaign, with a clash against Andorra scheduled for June 7. That match will be followed by a high-profile friendly against African champions Senegal on June 10, set to be played at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest. England will hold a seven-day training camp from June 4 to June 10 to prepare for the two fixtures.
As anticipation builds for the next stage of Tuchel’s project, the 51-year-old German tactician has announced his latest squad – and not without controversy. Several surprising selections and omissions have sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike.
One of the most notable headlines is the return of striker Ivan Toney. After missing out on Tuchel’s debut squad, Toney has earned a recall following an outstanding season in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli. The 29-year-old forward has been in sensational form, scoring 28 goals across all competitions and demonstrating the kind of clinical edge that could benefit England’s attack.
Also receiving plenty of attention is Trevoh Chalobah, who has earned his first-ever senior England call-up. The versatile Chelsea defender has been one of the standout performers in a turbulent season at Stamford Bridge, and Tuchel has clearly taken notice of his development.
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn retain their places in the squad, having already been included in Tuchel’s first selection. Forwards Noni Madueke and Ollie Watkins have also made the cut, providing a mix of youth and experience to the frontline.
However, the glaring omissions of West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton have left many fans bewildered. Bowen, who has netted 12 Premier League goals this season, was widely expected to feature given his consistency and attacking flair. Wharton, meanwhile, played a key role in Palace’s stunning FA Cup victory over Manchester City and has been hailed as one of the brightest young midfield talents in the country.
The backlash from supporters was swift and fierce, with many taking to social media to express their dismay at Tuchel’s decision-making.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) vented: “No Bowen is criminal.”
Another said: “No Bowen & Wharton is crazy! Henderson & Toney shouldn’t be in the squad.”
A third posted: “Bowen snubbed… you have gotta be joking me.”
A fourth wrote in disbelief: “Can’t believe he’s not called up Wharton and is picking Jordan f**king Henderson again.”
Another fan asked: “Adam Wharton is exactly what this England squad needs – what does he have to do?”
While Tuchel has shown a willingness to include emerging talent and recall in-form players, his decision to overlook Bowen and Wharton has led to questions about whether current form is being valued over reputation or past performances.
Adding to the complexity of Tuchel’s selection is the looming schedule of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which begins just five days after England’s friendly against Senegal. The tournament, which runs from June 15 to July 13 in the United States, includes major clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
With club commitments weighing heavily on the minds of top players and their teams, several Premier League clubs are reportedly pressuring national teams, including England, to release their players early from international duty to ensure adequate preparation for the Club World Cup.
Despite this, Tuchel has named a number of Chelsea players in his squad, signaling a firm stance on prioritizing England’s international obligations. Interestingly, no Manchester City players have been included, perhaps reflecting ongoing negotiations or injury concerns. Still, other high-profile names such as Trent Alexander-Arnold—who is expected to complete a move to Real Madrid—and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane are part of the squad, showing Tuchel’s commitment to blending star power with squad experimentation.
As England prepares for a pivotal month of international action, all eyes will be on how Tuchel’s selections perform—and whether the omissions of Bowen and Wharton come back to haunt the Three Lions.