Revealed: Phil Foden out, Trent Alexander-Arnold on the plane in fans vote for England's World Cup squad
Published 22/05/2026 at 07:09 GMT+1
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With Thomas Tuchel set to announce England's World Cup squad on Friday, everyone is wondering which players will be left at home and who will be on the plane for this summer's tournament.
Bellingham? Rogers? Eze? TNT Sports experts break down England's No. 10 debate
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Will Trent Alexander-Arnold get the call-up from Tuchel?
Have Cole Palmer and Phil Foden done enough this season to be included in the squad?
Who is the best back-up option to England captain Harry Kane?
These are the big calls that Tuchel has to get right if England want to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
Ahead of the announcement, TNT Sports asked supporters who should be included in the 26-man squad for the Three Lions.
There are a number of surprise omissions from the squad, but who made it on the list? All will be revealed in the results below.
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Henderson pips Pickford
Since establishing himself as England's number one goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup, Jordan Pickford has been the mainstay between the sticks for the Three Lions.
The Everton goalkeeper has enjoyed a number of huge moments at tournaments, including important penalty shoot-out saves in 2018, and at Euro 2020 and 2024.
However, supporters have made their feelings clear, and believe that it is time for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson to be given the No. 1 spot at this summer's World Cup.
The Palace man earned more votes to go to the World Cup than Pickford.
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Henderson stops interview to start chant with Palace fans
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The 29-year-old has been a fan favourite among Eagles supporters since joining the club three years ago.
Henderson played a vital role in helping Palace lift the first major trophy in the club's history after saving an Omar Marmoush penalty in the 2025 FA Cup final.
The goalkeeper shone at Wembley once again in August after a commanding display which helped Palace overcome Liverpool to win the Community Shield.
Henderson has enjoyed another fine campaign in south London, and will be hoping for more silverware when Palace face Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
The former Manchester United man has only earned four senior England caps, and although Tuchel is unlikely to make the bold move by selecting Henderson ahead of Pickford, the Palace No. 1 has already shown he is ready for the big moments.
Arsenal's champions at the back miss out
It could be a season to remember for Arsenal.
The Gunners were confirmed as Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years on Tuesday night after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta's side could end the campaign with a historic double if they manage to beat current holders Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
At club level, things could not be better for Arsenal, but two of their players will miss out on the chance of representing England at the World Cup, according to the TNT Sports fan vote.
Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly were left out of the list, with supporters opting for Nico O'Reilly and Harry Maguire in their positions.
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'They called us bottlers, now we're holding the bottles!' - Saka, Lewis-Skelly celebrate
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White is unlikely to feature in Tuchel's squad on Friday after picking up a potentially season-ending injury against West Ham last week.
Lewis-Skelly had to wait for his minutes this season with Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Zubimendi keeping him out of the starting XI at left-back and in midfield.
But the youngster still played his part in the latter stages of the season, and could yet feature in the showdown against PSG in Budapest.
The key question on everyone's lips regarding the England defence is will Alexander-Arnold be involved?
According to fans, the Real Madrid defender deserves a spot on the plane, having received 65% of the vote.
Without the likes of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier as competition in the national team, many assumed that Alexander-Arnold would be guaranteed a spot at the World Cup, but Tuchel may have other ideas.
Alexander-Arnold was left off Tuchel's final squad before the World Cup, and White was called up instead of him when there was a withdrawal from the squad due to injury.
The 27-year-old has endured a tough debut campaign in the Spanish capital, but he will no doubt be disappointed if he is not included in the squad on Friday.
Rice, Bellingham are the popular picks
It might not come as a surprise, but Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham were the supporters' most popular picks in the midfield, earning 82% and 75% of the vote respectively.
Rice has been the driving force behind Arsenal's Premier League triumph, and he will need to be at his best for the Gunners to lift the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
It has been a more difficult campaign for Bellingham at club level, with Madrid going back-to-back seasons without a major trophy, and the midfielder reportedly linked to Xabi Alonso's exit from the club earlier in the season.
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However, fans have voted for both to be included in the World Cup squad and former England No. 1 Joe Hart told TNT Sports that he is a huge fan of the Madrid maestro.
"You’ve got to celebrate people like Jude Bellingham," he explained. "He’s world elite, and he has already had some big performances in an England shirt.
"I just want to see him being happy and be celebrated for the top player that he is. If he had a great tournament like we know he is capable of producing, then England have a great chance."
There has been a lot of debate about whether Bellingham would even start under Tuchel at this summer's tournament, with the German seemingly favouring Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers in that role.
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The 23-year-old has been one of the shining lights at Villa Park this season and Hart believes the youngster is destined to be on the plane.
"I just love him as a player," he said. "I love the amount of hard work he puts in and his story to get to the top.
"He moved from Man City to Middlesborough and then came back to the Premier League with Aston Villa, and he’s established himself in the league.
"He has been Tuchel’s preferred choice in the No. 10 role, so he’s definitely in the squad in my opinion."
Nottingham Forest duo Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White were also selected by supporters for the squad, and Hart has been impressed with the pairing this season.
"Morgan Gibbs-White is tenacious, and always gives you a lot of energy on the pitch," he said.
"He’s another top player. He really took the season by the scruff of the neck for Nottingham Forest to help them avoid relegation.
"He’s got a great partnership with Elliot Anderson, and I absolutely love both players. I’d have both of them in my team all day."
No space for Foden
It has been a season to forget for Phil Foden, with the Manchester City playmaker unable to find his best form throughout the campaign.
As the result, the 25-year-old has been left off the list by the supporters, which would've been unthinkable a few seasons ago.
"I love Phil Foden, my face just lights up," Hart explained. "Of course, by his own standards, he’s not quite been there this season - maybe a bit of confidence has gone.
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"But if you can just light that spark, he’ll show that he’s a top England player. On his day, he’s one of the best in the country and one of the best in the world, but, right now, he just needs to find that confidence again."
So if Foden was left out of the squad by the fans, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was included, who else has been named on the list to board the plane to the World Cup?
Check out the results below.
England's 2026 World Cup squad voted by fans
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Trafford
Defenders: O’Reilly, Guehi, Trent, Konsa, Maguire, Livramento, Hall, James
Midfielders: Rice, Bellingham, Rogers, Mainoo, Henderson, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Wharton
Forwards: Kane, Palmer, Saka, Eze, Gordon, Rashford, Watkins
Do you agree with the fan vote?
Do you agree with the squad selected by the supporters? Vote below here:
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