Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have both been handed recalls to the England national team, with their inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad for March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Both players have not been selected by the former Chelsea boss since his arrival last year, with their last appearance for the national team coming back in September 2024.
However, they now make their returns after impressive performances for Manchester United since the arrival of interim head coach Michael Carrick in January.
Mainoo in particular has enjoyed a stunning turnaround, with the young midfielder barely playing under Ruben Amorim, but has become a key figure in Carrick’s setup.
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw who has also enjoyed an improved season, misses out of the squad, as well as Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is also a shock omission.
Arnold had been expected to make the team particularly with the absence of Reece James with injury, but has been left out by Tuchel in a very surprising move.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is also another surprising omission, as well as Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Everton midfielder James Garner also earned a debut call-up to the Three Lions, while Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall was also invited following his impressive performances for the Tyneside club.
The squad will give Tuchel a chance to assess the players before the World Cup in the summer and it is very likely most players get playing time against Uruguay and Japan, eager to impress the head coach.
England face Uruguay on March 27, before facing Japan four days later, with both games set to hold at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
The Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
