England’s national football team has announced a comprehensive 35-player roster for their upcoming pre-World Cup friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan. The squad notably includes Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, along with Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, all of whom have earned recalls after strong club performances. This announcement marks an important step as England prepares to fine-tune their lineup ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup scheduled for this summer.
Among the fresh faces in the squad are Everton’s James Garner and Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele, both receiving their first call-ups to the senior national team. Their inclusion reflects the coaching staff’s intent to broaden the player pool and evaluate emerging talent in competitive settings. Additionally, AC Milan’s defender Fikayo Tomori and Tottenham’s forward Dominic Solanke have been brought back into the fold, signaling trust in their abilities despite recent fluctuations in form.
However, the squad also sees some notable absences. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw, both experienced defenders, have been left out, with Shaw missing out despite his efforts to secure a spot. Instead, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall has been called up for the first time since Thomas Tuchel took over as England manager, highlighting the coach’s willingness to experiment and integrate younger players into the national setup.
It is worth mentioning that Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder, remains part of the squad despite not having played since early February due to a hamstring injury. His inclusion underscores his importance to the team’s midfield dynamics and the confidence the coaching staff has in his recovery and fitness ahead of the tournament.
Veteran centre-back Harry Maguire, aged 33, will be looking to add to his 64 international caps, bringing valuable experience to the defensive line. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who started in the Euro 2024 final, returns after last representing England in September 2024. Both players have been rewarded for Manchester United’s recent surge in form, which has propelled the club to third place in the Premier League standings.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has opted for a larger-than-usual squad, planning to split the group into two separate camps during the international window. This strategy aims to provide opportunities for players who have had limited game time to showcase their skills and compete for spots on the final World Cup roster. Tuchel explained that the squad would be divided to allow some players to rest while others gain valuable match experience ahead of the tournament.
England’s upcoming fixtures include a home game against Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, followed by a match against Japan on March 31. These friendlies will serve as crucial tests for the team as they finalize preparations for the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, kicking off on June 11. England enters the competition as one of the favorites, with hopes high for a strong showing on the global stage.
The full England squad for the friendlies is as follows: Goalkeepers include Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle), and Jason Steele (Brighton). The defensive line features Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), and Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders called up include Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace). The forward line consists of Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), and Dominic Solanke (Tottenham).
