England’s World – Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad planning is being squeezed by injuries and fitness doubts across England’s back line. John Stones’ stop-start Premier League season, uncertainty at right-back between Reece James, Tino Livramento and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and
By the time Thomas Tuchel starts finalising his World Cup squad, the decisions will feel less like football debates and more like triage.
In defence. where England are trying to build stability for the summer in North America. injuries and fitness issues have turned every shortlist into a gamble. Centre-back John Stones. one of the leaders Tuchel trusted early on. would normally be among the first names on any England list. When he accepted the job. Tuchel pointed to captain Harry Kane. Declan Rice and Stones as the key members of his leadership group. staying in regular contact with them via text message during the opening months of his reign.
A fully fit Stones would be a nailed-on starter. The problem is that the 31-year-old has made just four Premier League starts this season. That mismatch between reputation and recent workload is the kind of detail that forces Tuchel to weigh risk carefully when the tournament gets close.
Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa look set to make the plane to North America. Harry Maguire’s international recall in March gives the Manchester United man fresh hope. but there is a wider group of defenders orbiting the final spots. Jarell Quansah’s versatility could count in his favour. while Trevoh Chalobah and Fikayo Tomori were both included in the squad for March’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. even though they face an uphill struggle to make the final 26.
Levi Colwill complicates the picture in a different way. He has only recently returned from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury. Colwill was included in Tuchel’s extended 55-man party for the tournament, but he is unlikely to make the full squad.
At right-back, the questions are even sharper. All eyes will fall on whether Trent Alexander-Arnold makes the cut. On the face of it, he should be the one worried. He wasn’t included in the squad for March’s internationals, even though Tuchel selected more than 30 players in total.
Last year. Tuchel said Quansah—a central defender—was ahead of him in the pecking order. and it doesn’t exactly look good for Alexander-Arnold. But right-back is where Tuchel’s season-long dilemma keeps reshaping itself. Reece James, expected to start the tournament as first choice in the position, has endured an injury-disrupted campaign.
Tino Livramento would also usually be among the contenders. Yet Livramento hasn’t played since mid-April because of a thigh injury. The doubt over his fitness, along with the expected exclusion of Arsenal’s Ben White—recovering from a serious knee injury—could open the door for Alexander-Arnold.
The timing of England’s football matters too. With England anticipating the majority of the ball in their Group L matches against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, Alexander-Arnold’s strengths in possession may suit Tuchel’s side during the early stages of the tournament.
There are other routes into the squad. Tottenham’s Djed Spence could also be an option, having played four times under Tuchel. And Luke Shaw’s run into form gives Tuchel a welcome headache as he finalises his choices.
In the same defensive frame, England’s wider selection worries are narrowing around form. Nico O’Reilly’s outstanding form for Manchester City means he will almost certainly be selected. Dan Burn and Lewis Hall, Newcastle duo, are also hoping to get the nod.
The closer Tuchel gets to the final 26. the harder it becomes to separate what should be true from what is possible. Stones may be a leadership cornerstone, but his Premier League rhythm has been thin. Right-back may have a first choice in theory. yet injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento. plus the knee recovery setback for Ben White. keep the door cracked for Trent Alexander-Arnold. And every defender beyond the likely starters—Quansah. Chalobah. Tomori. Colwill—must bet that Tuchel values a route into the squad more than the safety of certainty.
England World Cup squad Thomas Tuchel John Stones Harry Kane Declan Rice Harry Maguire Marc Guehi Ezri Konsa Jarell Quansah Trevoh Chalobah Fikayo Tomori Levi Colwill Trent Alexander-Arnold Reece James Tino Livramento Ben White Djed Spence Luke Shaw Nico O'Reilly Dan Burn Lewis Hall