Only five England players are guaranteed their place in the nation’s final World Cup squad for 2026.
That’s the verdict of talkSPORT host and former Three Lions striker, Gabby Agbonlahor with Thomas Tuchel’s team selection coming under the microscope.
Tuchel has some big calls to make for the World CupAFPEngland were booed off in their final international of the 2024/25 season when they were beaten 3-1 by Senegal – the first time they’ve ever lost to an African nation.
It has been a lacklustre showing from Tuchel’s side in the last two internationals and has plenty of people worried for the World Cup next summer.
Everyone will have an opinion of who should be on the plane to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer and questions have already been asked.
The selection of Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker in the latest round of internationals has ruffled some feathers.
talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara argued that veterans Henderson (34) and Walker (35) should be nowhere near the Three Lions squad.
“I saw tonight with some old heads who really, truthfully, haven’t got the legs anymore,” O’Hara said.
However, Tuchel explained to talkSPORT about why Henderson won’t be dropped from his England squad.
If England want to compete with the best in the world right now, like France, Spain, and Argentina, then some serious questions need to be asked.
Who is on the plane?
Agbonlahor believes there are only five people right now who are deserving of a guaranteed place, while the remaining places in the squad are up for grabs.
He told talkSPORT: “Thomas Tuchel has a lot of decisions to make. He’s not got a lot of time. There’s five qualifiers, one friendly, and then maybe two or three warm up games before the World Cup.
Tuchel has insisted that Henderson remains a vital player for England going forwardGetty“Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker have been outstanding players for their clubs and for their country, but we don’t need them as experience.
“We’ve got Jordan Pickford on 66 caps, Declan Rice on 65 caps, Jude Bellingham on 43, Bukayo Saka on 44, and Harry Kane on 106.
“My five that are guaranteed for the World Cup are Pickford, Rice, Bellingham, Saka and Kane.
“They’re the ones for me with the experience that they’ve got. Other players I feel are close, but next season they have to produce.”
talkSPORT host Adrian Durham, who slated the England team in his player ratings after the Senegal defeat, added three players to that list.
He said: “I’ve got Marc Guehi and Tuchel loves Ezri Konsa. He’s always put Konsa in apart from against Senegal.
Agbonlahor thinks there are only five guarantees for the World Cup“I’ve put Cole Palmer in there as well because I think he’s just a talent that you can’t ignore.
“But I can see why you’re saying that. So there’s lots of places up for grabs which means they should all be playing better.”
What has Tuchel said?
Speaking to talkSPORT, the head coach said he is happy with what he has seen so far.
“We did some experiments in the second camp and not everything was bad, but of course the two games were not good enough.
“It’s hard learning at the moment but it brings clarity, every match at the moment and everything we try even if it comes after a defeat brings clarity and helps us mould the team and find solutions.
“Maybe we need to get our expectations right, [against Senegal] they arrived with a clear objective to win the match and make history. We arrived to win the match, but would we have the same joy after the match? I don’t think so.
“You felt more joy and agility in their game than our game so it made me question, are we holding ourselves back? At a point do we need to accept and respect the quality on the other side and celebrate more? Create an environment where players feel they can express their joy more freely.
“Or is it just not in us? Is it maybe a way of lifestyle that is connected to different cultures? I don’t have the answer but I think step by step we have to get the expectations right match by match, then it becomes easier to express ourselves.”
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 and Tuchel has the next 12 months to decide who is going to be on the plane with him to the tournament.
Watch the full exclusive interview with the England boss, which came live from St George’s Park where he discussed issues around the Club World Cup, Bellingham’s fiery nature and Jordan Henderson
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