James Garner receives maiden England call-up | OneFootball

James Garner has received his first major England national team call-up for the upcoming international break.

The Everton midfielder made it to Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man Three Lions side on the back of his fantastic 2025/26 campaign with the Blues. He’s been consistently good under David Moyes and will now join Toffees teammate Jordan Pickford in the England camp.

The Three Lions are set to face Uruguay and Japan later this month in their final friendlies before the summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament.

England will host Uruguay and Japan at Wembley Stadium on March 27 and 31 respectively.

Garner represented England throughout youth levels, and was part of the Under-21s side that won the Euros in 2023.

Pickford, meanwhile, will be looking to add to his 81 international caps.

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo make their return to the national team setup while AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori has also earned a recall.

Brighton's back-up goalkeeper Jason Steele, who is uncapped and has not played in the Premier League since August 2024, has been named in the squad for the first time as well while Trent Alexander-Arnold has been omitted.

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Reader Comments (17)

Christy Ring 3 Posted 20/03/2026 at 10:50:43

Great to see Garner called up, so why not play him in his proper position tomorrow?

Stones has hardly played a game for Man City this season, and he's in the squad… what about Branthwaite?

Ian Bennett 4 Posted 20/03/2026 at 10:51:36

Well deserved, Jimmy Garner.

Geoff Trenner 5 Posted 20/03/2026 at 10:56:56

No Dewsbury-Hall?

Michael Kenrick 6 Posted 20/03/2026 at 11:03:32

It's welcome recognition after consistent good form for Everton.

But will he get to play in a squad of 35? Or just be a bench warmer?

Harry Diamond 7 Posted 20/03/2026 at 11:15:19

11 of the 35 group are going to join up only for the Japan game, so hopefully Garner gets his chance against Uruguay.

The below are all being rested for the first game:

Dean HendersonDan BurnMarc GuehiEzri KonsaNico O'ReillyElliott AndersonDeclan RiceMorgan RogersAnthony GordonHarry KaneBukayo Saka

Eric Myles 11 Posted 20/03/2026 at 12:08:55

Pleased for the guy and I'm sure he's very proud.

It would be a pity for us though if he got injured as he's our right back back-up to O'Brien.

Andrew Ellams 12 Posted 20/03/2026 at 12:11:45

I see DCL has been recalled in the latest round of what the hell do we do when Harry Kane retires and a goalkeeper who hasn't played a league game all season.

No Alexander-Arnold though.

John Collins 14 Posted 20/03/2026 at 12:25:26

Well deserved for James.

As good as anyone in his position this season.

Sooner we get a right back the better to allow him to play his natural position.

I would use Anderson as a yardstick,James has outshone him in both games this season.

Dale Self 17 Posted 20/03/2026 at 12:43:50

Fantastic news for all to celebrate. Perhaps he can push on from being a swiss army knife of a player to his proper place as one of England's premier midfielders.

Credit to Tuchel. I didn't see him doing this and I offer an apology, even though he is ex-Chelsea.