The Athletic FC Podcast – "Who Should England Take to the World Cup?"
Date: March 27, 2026
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests: Stu James, Jack Pitt-Brooke
Theme: Assessing England’s squad selection dilemmas and discussing which players should be on the plane to the 2026 World Cup.
Episode Overview
With the last international break before the World Cup, Matt Davis Adams and reporters Stu James and Jack Pitt-Brooke break down the key decisions facing England manager Thomas Tuchel. The discussion focuses on squad auditioning during the friendlies, the ongoing right-back conundrum, the midfield’s new faces, and choices in attack. The show features honest assessments, tactical nuance, and some sharp reflections on familiar selection headaches, while offering clarity into the evolving England picture ahead of Tuchel’s World Cup announcement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The "Audition" Camp: Tuchel’s Unusually Large Training Squad
Timestamps: 01:53–05:15
- Thomas Tuchel named a 35-man England squad—much broader than the 26 allowed at the World Cup.
- Rationale: Two groups—the “possibles” (fringe players) and the “probables” (established stars).
- 26 players train/compete in an initial friendly vs Uruguay.
- Top stars (Rice, Kane, Saka, etc.) then join for the second phase, prepping for a Japan friendly.
- Purpose: "It’s a strong element of auditioning," says Stu James (04:06).
- Tuchel wants to observe not just match performance but training habits and camp integration, key for a close-quarters World Cup.
- Opportunity for fringe players (Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Garner) to prove themselves.
Notable quote:
"There’s a group of players who as I see it, are effectively on trial…go and take your opportunity."
—Stu James (04:06)
2. Central Defensive Dilemma—Stones, Maguire, and the Challengers
Timestamps: 05:15–08:07
- Maguire & Mainoo’s recall at Manchester United is linked to form, experience, and Tuchel valuing trusted leaders and known qualities.
- Maguire’s leadership and Mainoo’s pedigree in the Euro 2024 run both weigh heavily.
- Concerns: Lack of depth at centre-back and midfield.
- Preferred pairing: If fit, Stones is Tuchel’s clear favorite:
"Stones can do things that no other England centre back can do...I am convinced that he will be playing in the World Cup."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (07:02) - Mark Gehi and Ezri Konsa are in the mix, but Stones-Maguire may get the nod if both are healthy.
3. Right-Back Roulette: The Trent Alexander-Arnold Debate
Timestamps: 08:07–18:07
- With Rhys James injured and Walker/Trippier both retired, England’s right-back depth is tested.
- Ben White’s inclusion is likely "as a placeholder" (08:26); he’s not first-choice.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold omitted: Not just form—a long pattern of managers (Southgate, now Tuchel) struggling to accommodate his unique, attack-minded style at international level.
- Tuchel’s direct critique (summer 2025):
"He needs to take the defensive part of his game very, very seriously."
—Reported by Stu James (15:12) - Current right-back options: White, Livramento, Spence—none fully established, all with caveats.
- Fitness is critical: “There’s a lot of pressure on getting Rhys James fit and keeping him fit,” says Jack (18:32).
Notable quote:
"It's very difficult to see him [Trent Alexander-Arnold] going to the World Cup now...he’s just not in the picture, is he? And it’s a shame.”
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (17:18)
4. Striker Conundrum—Understudies for Kane
Timestamps: 19:48–22:47
- Brighton’s Danny Welbeck “hard done by” after his best club scoring season.
- Tuchel seems to favor Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Solanke; Watkins considered but dismissed for form.
- Welbeck’s omission was almost ageist, Stu admits (20:05).
- Calvert-Lewin seen as slight favorite as understudy:
"I would probably bet on Calvert Lewin over Solanke."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (22:00) - Injury concerns haunt the striker depth chart.
5. Five Goalkeepers? Tuchel’s Philosophy
Timestamps: 26:35–28:19
- Tuchel plans to bring four, not three, keepers to the World Cup—Jason Steele named as “specialist/training” keeper.
- Purpose: aid training, support penalty planning, remove physical workload from match keepers.
- Tom Heaton had a similar non-playing role at Euro 2024.
Notable quote:
“We need a guy with quality, with experience, and with the right energy and attitude and we believe that Jason is this guy.”
—Thomas Tuchel on Jason Steele (26:48)
6. The Left-Back & Midfield Shake-Up
Timestamps: 28:19–32:56
- Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City) in “outstanding form”—likely first-choice LB, but Lewis Hall and versatile Livermento make it a tight contest.
- Both Hall and O’Reilly came through as midfielders; their adaptability is prized.
- In midfield, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson touted as surefire starters.
"He [Anderson] keeps the ball really well, he's really mobile...Those two will definitely start."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (31:29) - Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo valued as different profiles and creative options; Wharton’s risk-taking is praised.
7. Attack: Supporting & Supplementing Harry Kane
Timestamps: 34:39–39:44
- Number 10 debate: Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers all strong, but only one likely to start.
- Bellingham is favorite for the role, with Rodgers in close contention.
- Palmer and Foden’s England consistency remains a question, despite club excellence.
"In the end, it will probably be Bellingham...he has proven himself more at international level."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (35:54) - Wingers: Saka tipped as reliable right-wing starter; his recent dip in form attributed to overuse more than decline.
"I'd be really surprised if Tuchel moved away from starting with Saka. I think there'd be a lot of trust there."
—Stu James (38:47) - Left wing remains “really open”—Rashford, Gordon, Madueke competing, with Rashford’s potential still tempting despite inconsistency.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On fringe players’ pressure:
"For players such as Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Garner, now is your moment…there’s a bit of pressure. In fact, a lot of pressure."
—Stu James (04:06) - On Stones’ unique value:
"Stones can do things no other England centre back can do…Stones is just a different player."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (07:02) - On Trent Alexander-Arnold’s international career:
"He was like a playmaker at right back…at times the most influential player on the pitch. But for England, he’s rarely been trusted in big games."
—Stu James (15:12) - On World Cup squad demands:
"It’s a really physically draining World Cup…England will have lots of times where they’ve got one game and then three days, then the next game."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (18:32) - On the left-back pool:
"O’Reilly, Hall and Livermento—probably the three. I don’t really know which way it’s going to go, but left back has been one of the biggest question marks."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (30:20) - On Saka’s reliability:
"I think there’d be a lot of trust there with what Saka brings to the team…he hasn’t hit the heights we’re used to, but I still see him as a starter."
—Stu James (38:47) - On winger options:
"Left wing is really open. I would still go for Rashford…if you can get Rashford at his absolute best, he’s such a good player, I would take the risk."
—Jack Pitt-Brooke (39:44)
Key Timestamps for Major Topics
- 01:53 – Show start; context: England’s extended squad, friendlies, and “auditioning”
- 07:02 – Centre-back debate: Stones/Maguire, Gehi, Konsa
- 09:34 – Right-back shortages and Ben White’s prospects
- 13:02 – Why Trent Alexander-Arnold is omitted and the system fit debate
- 19:48 – Striker depth: Welbeck, Calvert-Lewin, Solanke
- 26:35 – Five goalkeepers? Tuchel’s rationale for Jason Steele
- 28:31 – Left-back battle: O’Reilly, Hall, Livermento
- 31:12 – Midfield choices: Rice, Anderson, Wharton, Mainoo
- 34:39 – Attacking midfield: Bellingham, Palmer, Foden, Rodgers
- 38:18 – Winger choices: Saka, Rashford, others
Conclusion
The episode captures England's persistent selection headaches: how to balance trusted experience with emerging talent, the tactical dilemmas posed by elite club players who "don’t quite fit," and the ever-present risk of injury reshaping plans late. The hosts convey a mix of pragmatic coaching insight and broadcaster skepticism, blending detailed squad analysis with a sense of underlying mild anxiety about England’s World Cup prospects.
If you missed the episode: This summary gives you the structure of Tuchel’s selection thinking, who’s in pole position for key roles, and the main storylines shaping England’s World Cup build-up—as well as a flavor of the lively, passionate debate among The Athletic’s football writers.