Tuchel: No early release for England players at the Club World Cup

Thomas Tuchel will not be releasing any players early for the Club World Cup as the England head coach seeks to build a side capable of winning next year’s World Cup.

On Friday, Tuchel announced his 26-man squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Andorra before a friendly against Senegal on June 10 at the City Ground.

Ivan Toney was the surprise name included among his choices, while there was no place for Manchester City’s Phil Foden or any player from Manchester United’s squad.

Having begun his reign with wins against Albania and Latvia, the German coach is continuing to fine-tune his final squad in their bid for glory at the 2026 World Cup.

But he has a difficult situation to navigate next month, with their friendly against Senegal five days before the Club World Cup, with eight of the players he has picked involved.

The month-long tournament is being held in the United States and England captain Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich play Auckland City on the opening day of the tournament.

Conor Gallagher, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Reece James are also involved in the tournament.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could also be another player involved in the Club World Cup, should Liverpool allow him to complete his reported transfer to Real Madrid in time.

“The discussion was very open,” said Tuchel. “Very quickly, we also understood this is a very important camp for us with one year to go until the World Cup.

“Why send players if we want to cherish every day we have together. What signal would it send to the group to send players away?”

Thomas Tuchel’s #ThreeLions squad for June is here!

— England (@England) May 23, 2025

Tuchel added that he will start and finish England’s latest squad with the same 26 players, insisting that he will manage minutes for those participating in the Club World Cup.

“I was an advocate, and I could see the reason for the players who go to the Club World Cup to maybe leave a little earlier, to maybe change the squad,” Tuchel added.

“I understand the argument from especially the clubs who would love to see the players get a rest, but we have a strong argument for ourselves and our goals we want to reach.

“We are building a group and a togetherness. We want to develop a camaraderie, and it is only possible if we take every day seriously.”

The 51-year-old was also on hand to reveal the reasoning behind his decision to leave Foden out of the latest England squad.

Foden had said earlier this week that his struggles during the 2024-25 season have come down to off-field issue and a niggling ankle injury that have plagued his campaign.

The City midfielder, who was a key part of Pep Guardiola’s Premier League-winning squad last year, has managed just 15 goal involvements in all competitions this season.

Tuchel, however, insisted there is no concern over Foden’s recent form, and explained his exclusion from the squad was to try and help him re-find the joy in his game.

“Maybe we have got so used to his highest level that we are now, like you said, we are worried, but I think there is no reason to be worried,” Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I think it’s maybe just a dip in his development. Lately, he needs to re-find the joy in his game. It’s not so easy, it is not falling easily into his feet.

“So yes, he is struggling, but he is still so young and still full of talent.

“I had a good phone call with him, and everything is fine. I loved him as a person in camp.

“We don’t need to talk about his talent, we will do more or less everything to bring him back to form. Hopefully, the main part is still on him, and he will come back.”