The biggest omissions from Thomas Tuchel's England squad for Uruguay and Japan friendlies | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for friendly fixtures with Uruguay and Japan later this month.

The Three Lions continue their preparations for the 2026World Cup under Tuchel, who has named a 35-man squad for the two games.

Amid some tough selection decisions, there have been high-profile names left out.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Having failed to win the full trust of Gareth Southgate,Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced a similar situation with Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid right-back is the biggest name omitted from the England squad for this month's break, with Tino Livramento and Djed Spence preferred.

It's the continuation of an England career that has failed to reach club heights. Alexander-Arnold has won just 34 caps since his international debut in 2018, despite winning every available major honour with Liverpool before his summer switch to Spain.

Alexander-Arnold is a unicorn of a talent when it comes to creation from full-back, but reservations over his defensive game continue to deter England managers.

Luke Shaw

Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have earned England recalls this month, butManchester United teammate Luke Shaw has not earned the nod.

The left-back has impressed during Manchester United's surge into the Champions League places, but has been overlooked with younger options preferred. Shaw's fitness record represents a concern for England, despite an injury-free campaign to date.

Morgan Gibbs-White

England are stacked with creative options at number ten andMorgan Gibbs-White has been the odd one out. Having been part of October's group, he's now missed out on successive squads.

Gibbs-White has been a bright light in an otherwise tough campaign forNottingham Forest, but hasn't done enough to join club teammate Elliot Anderson in Tuchel's squad.

Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney has been open about his dream of representing England at the World Cup, but his hopes appear to have faded following Friday's squad announcement.

A prolific period in the Saudi Pro League has not been enough to convince Tuchel of his credentials, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke selected in front of the Al-Hilal forward.

Toney is the top-scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 25 goals in 25 games this season, and has netted 64 in 82 games overall since leaving Brentford for Al-Hilal. However, the apparent step down in standard at club level has cost the 30-year-old his England place.

Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins is another forward facing a summer on the sidelines. The Aston Villa striker has been recognised as Harry Kane's chief deputy in recent years, but a downturn in form at club level has seen him snubbed this month.

Watkins has scored just eight goals in thePremier League this season and needs a strong run-in to make the plane.