Thomas Tuchel told not to take star to third World Cup as brutal squad decisions loom
Thomas Tuchel faces a squad selection headache ahead of the World Cup, and Luke Shaw is a major doubt.
That’s the view of talkSPORT host Jason Cundy, who has named two players that he believes sit higher in the left-back pecking order.
Ever since he started the Three Lions job in January 2025, Tuchel has had a plethora of talent to choose from for his squads.
Big names have missed out on past selections, with Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden examples of notable absentees.
With the World Cup being the biggest stage not just in football, but in sport as a whole, countless players will hope to represent England.
However, there may not be room for Shaw this summer, despite him making six appearances across the 2014 and 2022 World Cups.
When discussing the potential England squad on Drive, Cundy said: “At full-back, here’s what we’ve got.
“Of course, the England squad is going to be announced next week for the friendlies coming up in March.
“Reece James, Trent, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly.
“Have we missed anyone out? I don’t think Luke Shaw’s involved in this conversation… I think it’s a bit late for him. I know he’s come back and they’re (Manchester United) doing alright.
“But I think, personally, Lewis Hall is the best left-back England have got right now. I think Nico O’Reilly is in the conversation.”
Too little, too late for Shaw?
A large chunk of Shaw’s career has been hindered by injuries, but this season has been one of his best yet in terms of appearances made.
The defender has featured 29 times in the Premier League, a tally he last reached during the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign.
Shaw played in all of England’s matches during the 2022 World Cup, but his competition at left-back may have been more impressive.
Hall has had an excellent season for Newcastle United, so much so that talkSPORT’s Jack Cunningham has insisted that he must start.
At Manchester City, 20-year-old O’Reilly has impressed at left-back and in midfield.
Cundy stressed that only two can go to the World Cup, and so Shaw may be left out, as he added: “I only see two full-backs going (on each side), you’re not going to go (with) three.
“For me, at the moment, it looks like Reece and Trent (at right-back), Livramento to miss out. Hall and O’Reilly (at left-back).”
Now or never
England will play friendlies against Uruguay and Japan during the March international break, with both coming live on talkSPORT.
It will be the final opportunity for players to prove their worth with a little under three months remaining before the World Cup begins.
New Zealand and Costa Rica are pre-tournament opponents at the beginning of June, but Tuchel’s team will likely be decided by then.
This means that some players, including Shaw, may discover if they’re in contention for the World Cup when the upcoming squad is named.
“Next week will tell us a lot, when the England squad is announced,” Darren Bent said.
“Because I can’t see him (Tuchel) taking someone who’s not in this next squad.
Cundy agreed, and replied: “If you’re not in this squad, I think you’re going to find it incredibly (difficult)… unless there’s a knock.”
However, Bent suggested that there could be some hope for players who miss out on the March squad.
He used Chelsea star Cole Palmer as an example of a player who may not be included, but could boost their World Cup hopes during the rest of the season.
“Say Palmer’s not in this squad, but then goes and scores ten goals between now and the end of the season, which he’s more than capable of doing, then he’ll go.”
England begin their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 17 against Croatia, before also facing Ghana and Panama in Group L.
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