By Martin Graham
England manager Thomas Tuchel is preparing to announce a strong squad on Friday, with no indication he will accommodate club concerns over player fatigue, even with a packed fixture calendar. Sources say Tuchel has made it clear he won’t promise Premier League managers reduced workloads for their players during the summer international window, as he intends to keep his options open and use as much preparation time as possible ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Since his appointment, Tuchel has consistently underlined the limited time he has with the national team – just 60 days and 24 training sessions before the tournament begins. That urgency has shaped his approach to selections and preparations. In March, before wins over Latvia and Albania, the German made bold choices, including surprise call-ups like Jordan Henderson, Dan Burn, and Marcus Rashford, signaling he will make big decisions when necessary.
A training camp is scheduled from 4-10 June, which includes a World Cup qualifier against Andorra on 7 June and a friendly versus Senegal three days later. Meanwhile, the new Club World Cup begins in the United States on 15 June, lasting until 13 July. Top European sides such as Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are all involved, and those clubs have privately lobbied for international players to be released early. However, Tuchel has stood firm, prioritizing England’s preparations.
Jude Bellingham, who is set to undergo shoulder surgery, will delay the procedure until after the Club World Cup. This could influence Tuchel’s decision on whether to include him in the June fixtures. Bellingham’s potential availability for his club raises questions about his involvement with the national side. Meanwhile, Real Madrid is close to finalizing the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and his presence in the squad is a strong possibility.
Phil Foden, who featured in Tuchel’s debut match, has endured a challenging season. He admitted to struggling mentally and physically, pointing to an ankle issue sustained in early April. He has expressed a need for rest, which could prompt further debate if Tuchel decides to include him. Harry Kane, celebrating silverware with Bayern Munich, is also expected to join the England setup before continuing on to the Club World Cup.
Cole Palmer, who was unavailable during the March internationals, is back in contention, along with Chelsea teammates Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Noni Madueke. They all face Real Betis in the Conference League final on 28 May, adding more strain ahead of England duty.
Tuchel has stated that while he keeps communication open with clubs and monitors player conditions, he won’t take undue risks. His stance is clear: England’s needs come first, as long as player health is protected. As he put it in March, his focus is on managing his group responsibly, without interference in club affairs.
With Manchester United planning a post-season tour of Asia, defender Harry Maguire – absent from Tuchel’s first squad – may be an option once back in Europe. Elsewhere, Morgan Gibbs-White could earn another call-up after a late inclusion in March. Ipswich striker Liam Delap, who has drawn interest from several Premier League teams, is another potential addition.
Injury concerns and form dips could open the door for others. Rashford, on loan at Aston Villa, has been sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon’s performances have tailed off. This could give Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze the edge. Eze, who scored in the win over Latvia, has been prolific recently, with seven goals in his last six matches.
Midfielder Adam Wharton is also a possible pick. Although he missed Palace’s win over Wolves due to a concussion, he trained with the senior squad during the last international break and has had a strong finish to the season. Tuchel has attended several Palace matches in person, suggesting he’s keen to reward rising talent with opportunities at senior level.
