World Cup 2026: Who will make Thomas Tuchel’s England squad? Do you agree with Phil McNulty’s choices?

Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Danny Welbeck.

Harry Maguire looks to have a fight on his hands to make the squad after Tuchel appeared to suggest four defenders were ahead of him in the pecking order, in Stones, Guehi, Konsa and – surprisingly – Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah.

This should not be the case.

The first three have been established since Maguire fell away from the England scene, but he is now back and has proved his worth and strength of character.

Given Stones’ fragility, Maguire would be a common-sense pick, if not as a first choice, then as experienced back-up who has been the course and distance at major tournaments before.

He will not only offer defensive cover, but has proved he can be an attacking weapon, albeit a very basic one, if it comes to a desperate search for a goal.

Maguire is my selection ahead of Newcastle United’s Dan Burn, who has struggled on his England appearances.

Is Adam Wharton a Tuchel player? The jury still seems out on the gifted Crystal Palace midfielder with the languid style.

Class still speaks and he has lots of it, especially in his passing range, so I am going for him in this squad – whether Tuchel shares that view remains to be seen.

Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is a natural left-back, which will be of value, and he showed his quality in a lively cameo against Japan.

And while Tuchel appears certain to pick Brentford’s Jordan Henderson – 36 on the day of England’s first World Cup game – for his value as a leader setting an example, I am going for the younger midfield option in Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, even though he was nowhere near his best against Japan, especially when England were not in possession.

Mainoo has been revitalised under Michael Carrick at Manchester United after being marginalised by former head coach Ruben Amorim.

This is a very tough call on Henderson (who Tuchel will pick anyway) but I believe one experienced old head who may not start if everyone is fit but offers influence around the squad – in this case Maguire – is enough.