England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his squad for the upcoming international fixtures, marked by the high-profile returns of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Key Returns and Surprise Inclusions
The attacking duo, who were omitted from last month's selection, have been handed opportunities to reintegrate themselves into Tuchel's plans. Jude Bellingham's situation had been a major talking point in the lead-up to the squad announcement on Friday. Similarly, there was much speculation around Phil Foden, who has faced challenges with both form and fitness following Euro 2024.
Foden's impressive performance in Manchester City's 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday appears to have been decisive, earning him his first call-up since March.
New Faces and Omissions
Tuchel has also made several other notable decisions, demonstrating a willingness to experiment. Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace retains his place after continuing to impress, while Bournemouth's Alex Scott has received his first senior call-up.
With England having already secured qualification for next year's World Cup, the German coach has the freedom to assess his options. This has led to some ruthless exclusions. In midfield, Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest and Milan's Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been dropped.
There is also no place for Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly or Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins. Manchester City defender Nico O'Reilly keeps his spot, and in goal, Newcastle's Nick Pope is preferred to City's James Trafford.
Looking Ahead
The recalled stars and fresh faces will now prepare for England's upcoming matches. The squad is set to face Serbia and Austria as they continue their build-up towards the World Cup, offering a crucial chance for players to stake their claim for a place in the final tournament squad.
