Strikers Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins have been named to England’s 26-man roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, coach Thomas Tuchel announced.
Toney and Watkins impressed for their respective teams, with the former faring well with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli and the latter with Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League.
“It has been a tough process to decide on the nomination, but I have full belief in this group of players,” Tuchel said when the roster was announced Friday. “They all deserve their place. The squad and everyone involved with the team will give all we can to make the country proud. We know they are behind us and we hope for a very special summer.
“Everything I know about international football and everything I hear about international football is that it is about chemistry. It is so obvious in this moment that teams win titles.”
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo made the roster, however Manchester United teammate Harry Maguire, fellow defender Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid and Manchester City’s Phil Foden were not as fortunate.
“A lot of factors play into that nomination process,” Tuchel said. “I love the difficult decisions, and I love the tough decisions — they bring a certain edge. That is what you need to go all the way. It is hard to please. In the end, we have to pick the squad that we as a staff are convinced of and really believe in.
“You feel the love of your coach, and you feel the trust. In the end, it comes down to this — who do we really trust? The connection has to be there. Somehow, it is a bit of a tool to challenge myself. What would I think from the outside? Mostly it is about the energy, connection and trust between me and the players.”
The squad will play pre-World Cup friendlies in Florida — against New Zealand in Tampa on June 6 and against Costa Rica in Orlando four days later.
England’s World Cup base camp will be in Kansas City, Mo. It’s Group L schedule begins against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on June 17, followed by matches against Ghana in Foxborough, Mass., on June 23 and Panama in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 27.
ENGLAND WORLD CUP ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones
Midfielders: Elliott Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
–Field Level Media
