Tuchel keeps England players 'on trial' with 37-man pool nine months before World Cup

Thomas Tuchel has cast a wide net as England prepare for the 2026 World Cup, naming 37 players across three camps and insisting few places in the final squad are guaranteed nine months before the tournament.

The Germany-born manager said he is deliberately keeping options open as he assesses players in limited international windows, and warned he does not expect a settled 23- or 24-man group by the end of November — or even March. England beat Andorra 2-0 in World Cup qualifying on Saturday in a match that underlined Tuchel's point that selection is far from settled; while the result was routine, performance and chance quality prompted further evaluation.

Tuchel has used his first months in charge to tinker with England's style and methods of coaching. He has called up a large and varied pool — 12 defenders, 12 midfielders, 10 forwards and three goalkeepers — and said his approach is guided by flexibility rather than an early firm selection. "There will be a lot of decisive matches involving English teams in club football," he said. "Of course I know some players that I trust and that I want to do good for us and for their clubs but we have to be open to any development in any direction."

The breadth of Tuchel's selection reflects both injury absences and deliberate experimentation. John Stones and Adam Wharton, for example, have not featured because of injury. The squad list will likely grow as the season progresses and as players such as Jack Grealish or emerging youngsters force their way into consideration.

Saturday's match produced a win but also marked areas Tuchel wants to improve. England have scored eight goals from four qualifiers while their expected goals (xG) total stands at 11, indicating they have underperformed their underlying numbers. Against Andorra, England's xG was 2.21, and Tuchel described a need for his side to be "more ruthless" in creating higher-quality chances.

Harry Kane, England's captain, scored six league goals for Bayern Munich this season but was peripheral in midfield and attack against Andorra, recording 12 touches. The limited involvement drew attention because it was low even by high-profile scoring strikers' standards. Tuchel has said he will keep assessing forward options; commentators and staff noted that Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke are among the players competing for places up front.

One of the clearest positives from the Andorra game was Elliot Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder, formerly of Newcastle, had the brightest spell after half-time, nicking possession on the edge of the box and creating a notable opportunity. Tuchel's coaching staff view energetic counter-pressing and positional flexibility as central to the identity they want to install, and Anderson's second-half contribution offered a potential solution in midfield as Tuchel continues to map out roles.

Tuchel has experimented with formations that keep one central striker and move others around the front line and wide areas. He has also adjusted meeting lengths and coaching emphases since his appointment, citing learnings from a disappointing June and committing to continual tweaks. Defender Dan Burn, who has featured under Tuchel, said: "The manager's sort of chopped and changed. I think he's probably still learning what he wants from his players."

Competition for full-back positions remains open. Myles Lewis-Skelly started at left-back on Saturday but is currently a back-up option at Arsenal, highlighting how Tuchel is testing players who are not necessarily first-choice at club level. That willingness to try squad members in competitive internationals means the team Tuchel takes to the United States next summer could differ substantially from recent England selections.

England face seven matches, beginning with a trip to Serbia on Tuesday, before Tuchel names a preliminary squad ahead of next summer's tournament. The manager's stated aim of using minimal time with players as efficiently as possible will be tested by a crowded international calendar and decisive club fixtures in the months ahead. Tuchel's emphasis on flexibility and continual evaluation leaves few guarantees for players, and the extended pool suggests every selection will be scrutinised in the run-up to the World Cup.