Wayne Rooney backs Thomas Tuchel’s England squad despite three ‘controversial’ omissions
Wayne Rooney believes Thomas Tuchel is the man to end England’s 60-year wait for World Cup glory.
The Three Lions boss has been backed ahead of this summer’s tournament despite his ‘controversial’ squad selection.
Tuchel left out several notable players when he named his final 26-man squad that is heading Stateside.
There was no place in the side for Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White missed out despite an impressive end to the campaign.
The selection surprised many, with former England defender Kyle Walker admitting he was shocked to see Foden left out.
Tuchel later revealed that he does not know which position to play the Manchester City playmaker in for England.
Rooney backs Tuchel
Rooney, though, is convinced Tuchel has selected a squad capable of winning the World Cup despite those omissions.
However, he highlighted three snubbed players when discussing England’s chances live on talkSPORT.
The former Three Lions captain joined Drive hosts Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on Drive live from Soccer Aid’s training session where Rooney was warming up with Tom Hiddlestone, Angry Ginge and Olly Murs among many others for the charity match.
Asked about this summer’s World Cup, Rooney explained: “I think the squad Thomas Tuchel has picked, there’s a couple which I’ve said that maybe might have went another way, but I think we have to trust in the team he’s picked.
“I think when you look at leadership and just get to talk about do you want a place around the training camp, which is a good place to be around, you can never guarantee that.
England's 2026 World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
- Dean Henderson
- Jordan Pickford
- James Trafford
Defenders
- Dan Burn
- Marc Guehi
- Reece James
- Ezri Konsa
- Tino Livramento
- Nico O’Reilly
- Jarell Quansah
- Djed Spence
- John Stones
Midfielders
- Elliot Anderson
- Jude Bellingham
- Jordan Henderson
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Declan Rice
- Morgan Rogers
Forwards
- Eberechi Eze
- Anthony Gordon
- Harry Kane
- Noni Madueke
- Marcus Rashford
- Bukayo Saka
- Ivan Toney
- Ollie Watkins
“One little thing can happen and that doesn’t happen, but I think he’s got a good squad, a squad that’s capable of winning the World Cup.
“Obviously no Foden, no Palmer, Gibbs-White, who’s been doing really well.
“It’s controversial, but I think as a nation we’ve been criticising managers for always picking the best players. He’s gone the other way and I hope it pays off.
“I trust him, I think he’s a fantastic manager and if anyone can pull it off, I think he can.”
England’s World Cup schedule
Tuchel was appointed as England manager ahead of the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The former Chelsea, PSG and Bayern boss subsequently led the side to eight wins from eight matches without conceding a goal.
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His contract has since been extended by the FA through to the end of Euro 2028, having been due to expire after the World Cup.
England are set to face New Zealand and Costa Rica in warm-up matches next month once they arrive in the USA.
They will then begin their group stage campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17.
The Three Lions also take on Ghana and Panama during the opening round.
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