Jude Bellingham has been left out of the latest England squad despite recovering from injury, with the Real Madrid midfielder failing to make Thomas Tuchel’s plans for a friendly date with Wales and a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia. Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is absorbed back into the fold after overcoming fitness issues of his own, while Everton forward Jack Grealish remains in the international wilderness.
Saka boost for England but no risks taken on Bellingham
Bellingham sat out England’s fixtures in September after being forced to undergo surgery on a long-standing shoulder complaint. It was initially suggested that he could be out of action until November, but he has picked up important minutes with Real in La Liga and Champions League competition. The decision has been taken not to risk him in international action.
Saka is fit and firing, though, after coming through a spell on the sidelines in north London. The Gunners star offers another useful attacking option for Tuchel, with the Three Lions still searching for a spark in the final third of the field despite enjoying a faultless run through five World Cup qualifiers that have delivered 15 points, 13 goals and no efforts conceded.
AdvertisementGettyEngland squad in full for games against Wales & Latvia
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)
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, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Who has been selected by England?
Marcus Rashford, who has delivered a flurry of assists for Barcelona during a loan spell from Manchester United, gets the nod once more. He is looking to prove a serious point to his parent club, with the Red Devils deeming a home-grown star to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
He is joined in the attacking ranks by Three Lions captain Harry Kane, who continues to enhance his record-setting haul of 74 international goals. The prolific frontman has passed 100 goals for Bayern Munich in a flying start to the 2025-26 campaign at club level.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson gets another opportunity to impress after starring across two fixtures in the last international window – picking up a couple of Man of the Match awards – with AC Milan playmaker Ruben Loftus-Cheek is included from the off this time around after being a late addition in September.
Getty Images SportWho has been left out of Tuchel’s England squad?
Grealish, with 39 caps to his name, has been snubbed despite registering four assists for Everton this season. He has not figured for the Three Lions since 2024 and will be wondering what he has to do in order to keep his World Cup dreams alive.
Another in-form Premier League performer to have been overlooked is Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden. He has two goals and a couple of assists to his name this term, with a lost spark being rediscovered. The 25-year-old, who was dropped by Tuchel in September, has not done enough to come back into favour.
Noni Madueke misses out due to injury, with the Arsenal winger nursing a knee problem, while Newcastle defender Tino Livramento has picked up a similar ailment at the worst possible time for him. Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has been ruled out of action with a groin complaint.
