Tuchel narrows down 8 England candidates for World Cup 2026
Tuchel has drawn up a list of 55-60 players and confirmed that the 2026 World Cup qualification is based on performance. Alexander-Arnold, Grealish, Madueke, Mainoo are among the 8 names that need to accelerate.
Thomas Tuchel’s England team finished the qualifying campaign with eight wins out of eight, but a place at the 2026 World Cup is still far from assured. The head coach has deployed a strategy of going directly to 55–60 players, using club form as the sole metric, and has identified eight players who must step up their game now.
HR strategy: personal approach, clear message
Tuchel stressed that no star player is automatically guaranteed a place. He is making FaceTime calls, visiting training grounds and meeting players on the long list in person. “It’s my job now to contact everyone, players like Trent… to reach out to them, to keep in touch with them, to explain to them why they are not here,” Tuchel said, adding specific demands for improvement.
The immediate focus is on the trip to Madrid to meet Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Real Madrid defender’s absence from the latest training camp, amid a dip in form in Spain, is a reminder that standards have been raised.
Fierce competition: messages from personnel selection
Tuchel has levelled the playing field with some heavy-handed decisions: he left Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham out of the squad in October. In the most recent training camp, Jarell Quansah made his debut at right-back against Albania – a choice ahead of the struggling Alexander-Arnold, given his excellent form for Bayer Leverkusen and performances at the European Under-21 Championship.
The decision sends a clear message: only current form will determine the ticket to the national team. Big names are forced to prove they fit Tuchel’s operating standards – from discipline to performance in specific roles.
Eight Candidates in Sight and the Tests They Must Pass
In the group of 55-60 players being closely watched, there are 8 prominent faces who need to accelerate to secure a World Cup spot.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: Need to regain his sharpness at Real Madrid to compete with Jarell Quansah - who is dominating thanks to his consistent form.
- Jack Grealish: A move to Everton opens up the opportunity for a fresh start, but he needs decisive performances to change Tuchel's perspective.
- Tino Livramento: An impressive start to the season was interrupted by injury; his versatility will be a huge advantage if he gets back into form.
- Danny Welbeck: This absence is seen as unfortunate as Tuchel is testing Jude Bellingham or Jarrod Bowen as back-up options for Harry Kane; Welbeck's chances depend heavily on Kane's fitness.
- Lewis Hall: Left-back is a position that is still open; consistent performances in the U21s give him the shortest path to the first team.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly: Impressive debut under Tuchel but lacked game time at Arsenal; needs first-team opportunities to be considered.
- Noni Madueke: Every call-up leaves an impression, but the competition is high; the key is to maintain consistency and play well at Arsenal.
- Kobbie Mainoo: Value has fallen at Man United; should push for a loan move in January to find regular playing time.
Recruitment strategies: from diagrams to individual roles
Tuchel is not just looking for a name, he is looking for a role. The priority of Quansah for the right-back position shows that the criteria are in line with the current tactical requirements – positional discipline, defensive intensity and transition. Players like Livramento or Hall benefit from the ability to play in multiple positions, while attacking options like Grealish and Madueke must prove they have a direct impact on results.
Choosing a back-up for Harry Kane is a separate matter. The flexibility to try Bellingham or Bowen as a “backup” reflects Tuchel’s ability to tailor his team based on the game plan rather than traditional positioning.
Countdown timer: time and pressure
The World Cup group stage draw on 5 December sets a clear benchmark for any decisions. Tuchel admits he is disappointed to have to wait four months to work with his players again, but the gap has turned into a race for the long list.
The January transfer window is a crucial window for players like Mainoo and Lewis-Skelly who need minutes. Tuchel’s overall message remains the same: no privileges, no exceptions; only those who are in form and ready to fight will qualify for the World Cup next summer.
