England squad announced: Jude Bellingham recalled as Alex Scott earns first call-up | OneFootball

Five changes in total from Thomas Tuchel as Myles Lewis-Skelly misses out and both Adam Wharton and Phil Foden return

Jude Bellingham has been recalled to the England squad for this month’s final 2026 World Cup qualifiers as one of five changes from head coach Thomas Tuchel.

The recall for Bellingham was expected following his return to form over the past month, but it comes after Tuchel received scrutiny for not selecting him in October despite the midfielder having played five games for Real Madrid since returning from shoulder surgery in the summer.

In the fold: Adam Scott

Adam Davy/PA Wire

Tuchel said “squad harmony” was key to the minimal changes between his September and October squads, using this as justification for not selecting Bellingham and for including the likes of Lewis-Skelly, whose game time at left-back for Arsenal has been limited by the fine form of Riccardo Calafiori. The Three Lions boss also claimed at the time that Bukayo Saka was almost overlooked last month for the same reason.

A lack of minutes appears to have contributed to the absences of both Lewis-Skelly and Trafford. Newcastle’s Nick Pope, a first call-up since the Nations League campaign under caretaker boss Carsley in the autumn of 2024, comes in as third-choice goalkeeper.

Wharton is looking to make only his second senior appearance, and a first under Tuchel, after his debut came under Gareth Southgate in June 2024.

Return: Adam Wharton

John Walton/PA Wire

There was talk of a potential recall for Brighton veteran striker Danny Welbeck following excellent goalscoring form for the Seagulls, but the 34-year-old, who scored 16 goals for England and last played for his country in September 2018, was overlooked.

England’s final World Cup qualifiers are against Serbia on November 13 and Albania on November 16.

Tuchel will use the double-header to experiment, given England last month became the first European nation to qualify for next summer’s World Cup with a 5-0 win over Latvia.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)