England squad: Marcus Rashford makes his return as Thomas Tuchel selects Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Marcus Rashford has received a surprise recall in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, which also features Myles Lewis-Skelly, Dominic Solanke, and Dan Burn.
The 27-year-old last played for England in March 2024 and fell out of favor under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United before moving to Aston Villa on loan in January, where he has recorded three assists so far.
In an interview with the Football Association’s website, Tuchel said:
*”He’s made a significant impact in recent games at Aston Villa.
I was pleased to see his commitment on the ball, his effort to be a supportive teammate, and his consistent energy.
There’s no question about his talent and quality, but watching him be so decisive and physically involved convinced me that this is the right time to call him up and give him an extra push to maintain that level.”*
Tuchel, who officially succeeded Gareth Southgate on January 1, announced a 26-man squad featuring four goalkeepers. Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale earned a recall, while Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson also returns to the squad for the first time since March, having last played for England in November 2023.
.
Lewis-Skelly has had a breakthrough season at Arsenal, and the 18-year-old skips the under-21s entirely to join the senior England squad.
“It feels like we’re fast-forwarding a career that’s already moving quickly,” Tuchel said. *”I can tell you that recent discussions had a protective, almost parental tone. We considered not selecting him to allow him to develop with the under-21s, where he’d be out of the spotlight—maybe it was our responsibility to hold back.
But ultimately, given the injuries, his quality, and the maturity he’s shown in matches, we decided to include him.”
Solanke, despite an injury-plagued season at Tottenham, earned a place in the squad over Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who was left out. Meanwhile, Burn has been a key part of Newcastle’s push for a Champions League return.
Tuchel hinted that Burn and Henderson could play vital leadership roles as he aims to build a squad capable of winning the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“For me, Jordan’s inclusion is similar to Dan Burn’s,” Tuchel explained. “They embody important values and are leaders within their teams. Their energy is consistent and reliable, which is crucial as we work toward building a strong, united squad. Jordan is a key piece of that puzzle.”
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was not selected, as he is currently sidelined with an ankle injury that will also keep him out of Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle.
Reece James is included in the squad despite playing only 13 games for Chelsea across all competitions due to ongoing fitness issues.
“Reece works very hard to stay fit,” Tuchel said. “He’s fully available. There’s no question about his quality and what he can offer us, but we also want to be flexible and broaden our options. It’s a pleasure to have him back.”
Tuchel previously worked with James during his time at Chelsea, and while managing Bayern Munich, he also attempted to sign Kyle Walker from Manchester City.
Walker, now on loan at AC Milan, is part of a relatively inexperienced defensive lineup featuring Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, and Jarell Quansah.
Notably, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire—who was a regular under Gareth Southgate despite criticism—has been left out. Arsenal’s Ben White, who refused to play under Southgate, and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish also did not make the squad.
Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, initially selected by interim coach Lee Carsley, retains his place. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham recently revealed that Tuchel started with a longlist of 55 players before narrowing it down.
“I’m excited to finally get on the training pitch after months in the job,” Tuchel said. “I’m eager to work with the players, implement our style of play, and establish some rules and principles. Coaching at Wembley is beyond what I ever imagined for my career.”
Tuchel's 26-man England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
