England face an important World Cup qualifier through the October worldwide break, one that might safe their place within the 2026 match. Regardless of the significance of the upcoming problem, Thomas Tuchel selected to not embody Jude Bellingham, one of many crew’s prime stars.
In Friday’s press convention, the top coach spoke in regards to the Actual Madrid midfielder. “He needed to be known as up. We had a cellphone name,” Tuchel admitted, in keeping with the BBC. “However we determined to maintain with the easy resolution of inviting the identical group… There’s additionally the scenario that he has not fairly gathered his full rhythm once more at Actual Madrid – he has not completed a full match.”
On this means, the German coach confirmed that Bellingham needed to be a part of the squad, however the resolution to not embody him was based mostly on a number of components. The primary one, clearly, is the participant’s bodily situation, as he underwent surgical procedure following the FIFA Membership World Cup to handle a shoulder damage.
Since then, Jude has performed simply 4 matches with Actual Madrid. In three of them, he got here off the bench, and he began solely within the derby towards Atletico Madrid, the place he was subbed off within the seventieth minute after a disappointing efficiency. Thus far within the 2025–26 season, he has performed simply 100 minutes in whole.
Regardless of these considerations, Thomas Tuchel had nothing however reward for Bellingham, underscoring the significance the midfielder holds in his plans for England. “Jude all the time deserves to be right here,” the coach mentioned. “He’s a particular participant, and for particular gamers there can all the time be particular guidelines.”
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Different absences for England
Jude Bellingham is essentially the most notable omission from England’s squad for the October worldwide break, however he isn’t the one star lacking. Requested throughout the identical press convention if there was any subject with the Actual Madrid midfielder, Tuchel gave a response that additionally addressed different gamers.
“No,” the coach mentioned about Bellingham. “There’s additionally no drawback with Phil Foden or Jack Grealish both.” Foden’s absence is especially stunning, given that he’s a key determine for Manchester Metropolis and isn’t coping with any accidents—he performed the complete 90 minutes in Wednesday’s Champions League match towards AS Monaco.
“That is the choice, in the event that they prefer it or not,” Tuchel acknowledged, in keeping with BBC Sport. “They know my appreciation, they know I clearly see and observe how good Phil is for the time being for Manchester Metropolis.”
England’s full squad checklist
England at present lead Group Okay within the World Cup qualifiers with 15 factors, seven forward of Albania. With solely three matches remaining, a win over Latvia on Tuesday, October 14, would seal their qualification for the 2026 match. First, nonetheless, they may play a pleasant towards Wales on Thursday, October 9.
For these two matches, Thomas Tuchel named a 24-man squad:
- Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester Metropolis)
- Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester Metropolis)
- Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
