Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England head coach Thomas Tuchel will name a 26-man squad for the World Cup
Chief football writerPublished1 April 20262554 CommentsEngland concluded the so-called 'Send-Off Series' before the World Cup with defeat against Japan at Wembley.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel named a split 35-man squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan to get a close-up look at his wider England options.
He must whittle that number down to 26 as England accelerate planning for their opening World Cup game against Croatia on 17 June in Arlington, Texas.
Tuchel will digest the food for thought that England's friendlies have given him as he finalises his plans.
He will then make his picks - but for now this is my 26-man England squad to take to the World Cup.
GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.
DEFENDERS: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Lewis Hall.
MIDFIELD: Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo.
FORWARDS: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Danny Welbeck, Jarrod Bowen.
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Published1 day agoOn the planeJordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke.
Tuchel will have the vast majority of his squad already fixed in his mind and those certain selections form an experienced bedrock he will count on at the World Cup.
England's spine will be familiar trusted lieutenants of both Tuchel and his predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate, such as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and Manchester City's Marc Guehi alongside club-mate John Stones if fit.
And of course the other mainstays, Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
Ezri Konsa has proved he is perfectly at home at international level and is likely to start alongside Guehi if Stones does not make it.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The fitness of John Stones will be under scrutiny as the World Cup approaches - a class act with great experience at major tournaments
Arsenal's Rice will be the high-class hub of England's midfield, with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa fighting for the number 10 position. Bellingham would be my starter.
England captain and all-time record scorer Kane remains irreplaceable - as shown against Uruguay and Japan - as the main striker, while Bukayo Saka's quality and major tournament experience make him an automatic choice.