International football returns next week as Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra at Villa Park and Serbia in Belgrade. He spoke to reporters on Friday afternoon just outside Wembley Stadium, which was hosting a run of Coldplay gigs, outlining his thinking behind the selections.
The two standout inclusions are young midfielders Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, along with Tottenham full-back Djed Spence earning his first senior England call-up. The selection marks a push for fresh energy in central areas and at the back, with Tuchel keen to balance experience with opportunity for newer faces.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s place has been under scrutiny for some time. After a career with England that felt settled at right-back, he has spent more time in midfield and is currently out of the squad for these two games. Tuchel’s view of Alexander-Arnold’s defensive responsibilities has been a talking point previously, and his absence opens the door for Reece James and Tino Livramento to stake their own claims at right-back in the build-up to the next summer’s World Cup.
A notable moment from Tuchel’s briefing was his handling of Jude Bellingham’s on-field conduct. He apologised for using the word “repulsive” in reference to Bellingham’s behaviour during the June international window, clarified that he meant no personal harm, and said he addressed the matter directly with the player to move on.
The battle for left-back is also intensifying. Myles Lewis-Skelly remains in the squad and is in line to push for more responsibility there, with Livramento also having featured in that position. Spence’s call-up marks a milestone; his form for Tottenham over the past year has earned him his first England senior nod, and Tuchel praised his athleticism, one-on-one defending, and drive to improve.
Midfield is the area that has seen the biggest shift in tone. In March, Tuchel admitted it was a difficult call not to include Anderson or Morgan Gibbs-White. Now, both Anderson and Wharton are in, reflecting a younger, more dynamic look. Gibbs-White has started to feature more regularly, while Wharton is described as a six and Anderson as an eight, with both given a real chance to establish themselves amid less experienced competition alongside the expected regulars Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
Tuchel has also stressed a desire for a more competitive England camp as the World Cup approaches. Players will report to St George’s Park on Tuesday morning rather than Monday, shortening the lead-in to the Andorra match on Saturday evening at Villa Park. He also plans a tighter, streamlined squad of 24 players instead of 26, aiming to foster a more focused environment for the autumn camp and the qualifying campaign.
What this means going forward is a clearer path for young talents to push into the senior squad, with Tuchel signaling that fresh competition could unlock new balance and drive for England as they prepare for the World Cup in June next year.
Summary: Tuchel has named a youthful, refreshed England squad for upcoming qualifiers, emphasizing competition and balance between emerging talents and experienced players, while addressing past comments and outlining a tighter, more focused camp ahead of a busy autumn schedule. A positive outlook hinges on the new midfield and full-back options finding form in time for the World Cup.
Potential value add: This shift could accelerate England’s integration of young players into a senior setup, creating realistic pathways for players like Anderson and Wharton to contribute at the highest level sooner rather than later. The emphasis on a tighter squad may also help improve readiness and cohesion ahead of major matches.