Manager Thomas Tuchel has submitted a provisional 55-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, with reports indicating the inclusion of several notable players like Luke Shaw, Danny Welbeck, and Alex Scott. Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is also understood to be on the preliminary list, as participating nations met FIFA’s midnight deadline on Monday to submit their extended rosters for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.
Squad Submission and Next Steps
The Football Association (FA) has not yet officially confirmed the provisional squad, with the final 26-player contingent set to be announced on Friday, May 22. This initial long list allows Tuchel ample time to assess player form and fitness before making his final selections for the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Potential Surprises and Omissions
Notably, Alexander-Arnold, Shaw, Welbeck, and Scott were all absent from Tuchel’s previous squad selection for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Their potential inclusion in the provisional list suggests they still have a chance to feature in the final squad for the transatlantic tournament.
Defensive Dilemmas at Right-Back
The inclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold, in particular, presents an intriguing selection narrative, especially given Tuchel’s current injury concerns at right-back. The former Liverpool star has faced stiff competition, with Tuchel previously favoring Chelsea’s Reece James, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, and Arsenal’s Ben White for the position.
In fact, last year, Tuchel reportedly rated Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarrell Quansah, a natural center-back, ahead of Alexander-Arnold for a right-back role. However, the landscape has shifted significantly due to recent developments.
Injury Woes Impact Selections
Arsenal defender Ben White is now a significant doubt for the World Cup due to a knee injury sustained during Sunday’s victory over West Ham. Tino Livramento is also currently unavailable, though there remains hope that the Newcastle defender will recover in time for the tournament.
Reece James, who is considered Tuchel’s first-choice right-back, has only recently returned to action after his own injury layoff, adding further complexity to the defensive selection process.
Full-Back and Forward Options
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw could also earn an international recall for the tournament. Shaw has not represented England since the Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain, primarily due to persistent injury issues.
Despite his injury setbacks, Shaw has been a regular starter for Manchester United this season, accumulating 36 appearances for the club. His experience and consistent game time could make him a valuable asset.
Veteran Striker’s Case
In attack, Danny Welbeck has been in impressive scoring form for Brighton this season, netting 14 goals for Fabian Hurzeler’s side. However, the veteran striker has yet to feature in any of Tuchel’s recent England squads, making his potential inclusion a talking point.
Midfield Potential
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott received his first senior England call-up in November but was subsequently omitted from Tuchel’s last squad. His inclusion in the provisional list indicates he remains under consideration by the management team.
Implications for the Final Squad
The provisional 55-man list provides Tuchel with a broad pool of talent to draw from, but the upcoming decisions will be critical. The fitness of key defenders like Reece James and the potential recovery of Tino Livramento will heavily influence the defensive structure. The form of forwards like Welbeck and the continued development of midfielders like Scott will also be closely monitored.
What to Watch Next
All eyes will now be on the FA’s announcement of the final 26-man squad on May 22. The final selections will reveal Tuchel’s strategic approach to the World Cup, highlighting his priorities in defense, midfield, and attack, and offering insights into England’s potential tactical setup for the tournament.
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