England World Cup Squad Under Scrutiny As Tuchel Makes Big Calls

Thomas Tuchel is carrying a heavy burden as England manager. The task is not a matter of global crisis, but the English press has long made the national team job one of football’s most unforgiving posts.

Each selection tends to draw criticism, and supporters remain severe in their judgement despite England’s only World Cup title coming in 1966. Some observers believe that relentless pressure around the side has played a major part in England’s inability to repeat that success.

England head into the tournament with a squad that mixes quality, surprise inclusions and notable absences. The country will again hope this is the group that finally delivers the trophy its fans have wanted for six decades.

Several so-called golden generations have failed to get England over the line. This squad will try to do what the 1966 team did on home soil and bring the World Cup back under English control.

The main uncertainty surrounds Tuchel himself, who is England’s first foreign manager since Fabio Capello in 2012. Critics have already questioned his judgement, especially because of the players he has not taken to the Americas.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Phil Foden have been left out, while experienced defenders Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw also miss out.

Players to watch include Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Nico O’Reilly. England are drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.