England brings back Mainoo and Maguire for friendlies ahead of the World Cup

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced a 35-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, as well as Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, earning international recalls on Friday.

n

First-time call-ups have been given to Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, while AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori and Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke have also been brought into the fold.

n

Notable omissions from the squad include Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw, with Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham included despite not having played since early February due to a hamstring injury.

n

Experienced centre-back Maguire, 33, will have the opportunity to add to his 64 international appearances, while Euro 2024 final starter Mainoo, 20, is also included in the squad.

n

The pair last played for England in September 2024, but have been rewarded for Manchester United's recent good run of form, which has seen the team rise to third in the Premier League.

n

Meanwhile, Shaw, 30, has once again been overlooked, with Tuchel instead opting to call up Newcastle's Lewis Hall for the first time since taking charge.

n

Tuchel has explained that he has selected a larger squad than usual, with players reporting to camp in two stages across the window, allowing for a broader assessment of the team's options.

n

"We decided to divide it into basically two camps almost, so we bring players in that we haven’t seen who haven’t played so much to open up the picture and the competition for plane tickets to the US," Tuchel stated.

n

"Then from Friday and Saturday, a group of players will come into camp — 10 or 11 players who get a rest before and we will then go with a new group and mix of players into the match against Japan," he added.

n

England's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan are scheduled to take place on March 27 and March 31, respectively, at Wembley.

n

The World Cup, which is set to kick off on June 11 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will see England competing as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

n

The England squad features a range of players, including goalkeepers Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, and Jason Steele.

n

The defensive lineup includes Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, and Fikayo Tomori.

n

The midfielders named in the squad are Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, and Adam Wharton.

n

The forwards selected for the squad include Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Dominic Solanke.