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By WILL GRIFFEE Updated: 21: 00 AEDT, 20 March 2026 47 View comments Live updates as Thomas Tuchel names his England squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, giving players one last chance to impress him before he decides who will be on the plane for the World Cup this summer. It is 83 days until the tournament begins and 89 until England begin their campaign against Croatia. It feels as though in 20 years time we'll still be lining up against Luka Modric at a major tournament, can't get away from the man. Talent wise, England have such riches and the bookies have them second-favourites for the World Cup behind Spain. We'll have a much more clear idea of how the final squad could look after the next couple of friendlies. Striker, right wing, goalkeeper and one centre midfielder are pretty well set in stone but most other spots are all to play for. Trent-Alexander Arnold is only just returning to full fitness for Real Madrid and is yet to convince Tuchel he has the defensive acumen for a World Cup place, Reece James is injured yet again and Kyle Walker announced his international retirement this week. Djed Spence could find the path surprisingly clear for him. With so many elite international wingers playing on the left-wing, England having solid cover on the right flank will be crucial. It will be useful for Tuchel to have players who can cover a number of positions, particularly with England cramming their World Cup games into a short space of time as one of the last countries to kick-off. Garner has played full-back and midfield, much like Man City's Nico O'Reilly and while neither would be expected to start for the Three Lions if included in the squad, they would be very handy bench options. It has been five years since Dominic Calvert-Lewin played for England but the Leeds forward is set for a recall, says CRAIG HOPE. It will be a just reward for his 10 goals in 26 Premier League games this season and if the unthinkable happens and Kane goes down with an injury, could he be the unlikely hero in the US? The England squad will be announced at 10: 00am and once we've all had an hour to digest and argue about it, Tuchel will speak at a press conference an hour later. No doubt the Man United inclusions will be a hot topic for discussion and the German is always pretty good value, perhaps slightly less corporate and diplomatic than his predecessor. This clip from last November shows Garner has been in Tuchel's thoughts for some time. England have Rice inked into the midfield but there's so much competition for whoever plays alongside him, that's one of the most interesting selections for the World Cup, no doubt about it. If Harry Kane can replicate the level he's playing at for Bayern when he pulls on a white shirt in June and July then England will have a brilliant chance. He scored another absolute belter in Bayern's win over Atalanta this week and his brace against the Italians made him the first English player to 50 Champions League goals. Wrap him up in cotton wool or hope his hot streak burns on? He's the one man England simply can't afford to do without. Here, Craig Hope delves into the major issue for the England boss ahead of these two friendlies. Lack of form for key men - combined with injuries to the likes of Bellingham and more recently Reece James are cause for concern. Kyle Walker was asked this week, of all the England No 10 options, who should start this summer? Perhaps his answer wasn't that surprising given Man City loyalty but he has played with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers too. He said Foden is the best footballer of the lot and would be his selection, even though he's never managed to perform at his best for England. Tuchel wants to pick players who are starting regularly for their clubs and Foden has fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola recently. It would be a major pre-World Cup omission if he didn't get picked today. James Garner is in line for a call-up this morning, according to CRAIG HOPE. Toffees fans do get in touch to tell me I'm talking nonsense if I'm wrong. .. but it seems as though he has been Everton's player of the season by a mile. He makes David Moyes' side tick and would offer a slightly different profile to Tuchel - not many would have had the former Man United academy man as a World Cup bolter at the start of the season. He's been a regular for England at age group levels but never played for the senior team. Following Craig Hope's earlier report, the Athletic name Man United's Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as two more players making this squad. Mainoo has been another to revive his form under Carrick and, of course, burst onto the scene with England at the Euros two years ago. Wharton looks set for a big-money move this summer, with plenty of suitors and Palace wouldn't mind adding few pounds to his price tag with a starring role for England in the US.
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