OFFICIAL: England Squad List: Grealish, Bellingham and Foden all miss out
Star names Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have all missed out on selection for England’s October internationals.
There is also no place for Adam Wharton in Thomas Tuchel’s squad to face Wales in a friendly at Wembley on October 9 and then go to Latvia in World Cup qualifying on October 14.
Fit-again Bukayo Saka and John Stones return, with the injured Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento unavailable.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Henderson, Pickford, Trafford.
Defenders: Burn, Guehi, James, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly, Quansah, Spence, Stones.
Midfielders: Anderson, Gibbs-White, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Rice, Rogers.
Forwards: Bowen, Eze, Gordon, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Watkins.
England’s October fixtures
England vs Wales – 7.45pm kick-off, October 9 – Friendly
Latvia vs England – 7.45pm kick-off, October 14 – World Cup Qualifier
England vs Serbia – 7.45pm kick-off, November 13 – World Cup Qualifier
Albania vs England – 5pm kick-off, November 16 – World Cup Qualifier
In a stunning move that has sent ripples through English football, England manager Thomas Tuchel released his squad for the upcoming international fixtures and left out three of the nation’s most high-profile attacking talents: Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden. The decision has sparked heated debate over form, fitness, loyalty, and the fine margins of international selection.
The Squad Announcement & Key Omissions
Tuchel’s England squad — for the friendlies and World Cup qualifier against Wales and Latvia — is largely a continuation of the core group he fielded during September, following a resounding 5–0 victory over Serbia.
Yet the absence of Grealish, Bellingham, and Foden is the headline. Despite their pedigree and recent club form, none were included.
Bellingham, in particular, has drawn intense scrutiny. The Real Madrid midfielder had returned to action after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer, but Tuchel cited a lack of match rhythm as his reason for leaving him out.
For Foden and Grealish, the rationale is more opaque. Foden has regained form at Manchester City, and Grealish has been influencing games on loan at Everton. Yet according to Tuchel, there were no personal issues—rather, he has opted to stay with the squad that performed well in September.
Tuchel Defends Selection — “Stick with What Works”
During the press conference, Tuchel defended his choices robustly. He emphasized continuity and the idea of building habits and standards from the last camp into the next.
> “We reached a new level and new standards in the last camp… So the question was, why not bring the same group in?”
He also addressed potential tensions involving Bellingham:
> “There is no problem between me and Jude, between me and Phil Foden, and no problem with Jack Grealish… they are very special players.”
On Bellingham’s omission, Tuchel acknowledged that while the midfielder “always deserves” to be in camp, his lack of full-game rhythm made selection difficult:
> “He hasn’t finished one full match until now, has only started one match, so there is that extra layer to decide.”
Tuchel also made a point: this decision is not about reputation but about what he feels is best for the squad at this moment.
Reactions From Pundits, Fans, and Media
Naturally, the decision provoked strong reactions.
Many fans have expressed shock and disappointment on social media, citing that leaving out players of Foden’s, Bellingham’s, or Grealish’s caliber seems risky in a World Cup year.
Some pundits have accused Tuchel of making a bold, perhaps even defiant, statement about squad control and not being beholden to big names.
Others see the move as a calculated gamble: managing egos, rewarding collective performance, and avoiding overreliance on star power.
In some corners, Tuchel’s prior comment calling Bellingham’s behaviour “repulsive” has resurfaced, though the England boss has repeatedly insisted that there are no lingering personal issues.
The omission has also fueled speculation about Bellingham’s long-term standing in England’s plans — although most agree that a few strong performances at club level would likely restore his place.
The Squad That Made It — Continuity & Surprises
While big names were missing, Tuchel’s squad is not devoid of excitement. Bukayo Saka returns from injury, replacing the unavailable Noni Madueke.
Several defenders and midfielders have retained their spots, with minimal changes otherwise.
One surprise inclusion is Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has not had consistent playing time at Arsenal, but is believed by Tuchel to have benefited from being in the stable group.
Other notable nods include Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who continues to get chances in midfield depth.
What the Decision Signals
This move sends strong signals:
1. Authority and stability: Tuchel is staking his ground. By deliberately omitting big names, he demonstrates he is not a manager who will be swayed by star power.
2. Form over fame: It underlines that current performance, fitness, and tactical fit are foremost in his mind — even for household names.
3. Squad unity: Sticking with the squad that produced strong results may foster group cohesion and reduce speculation over rotation.
4. High stakes in a World Cup year: With 2026 approaching, every call-up matters. Tuchel is making bold statements about his preferred core and the standards he expects.
Risks & Potential Downsides
Backlash: Mistakes or poor results in upcoming matches will magnify criticism — especially from those who argue the squad lacks world-class flair without Foden, Bellingham, or Grealish.
Player morale: These players are stars. If they interpret the snub as a slight, it could affect their mental state or commitment.
Depth and creativity: Dropping players of such elite technical ability may limit creativity in pivotal matches, especially against stronger opposition.
Public perception: Many fans will struggle with the optics of leaving out beloved names — managing that narrative will be key.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next
For the omitted trio, the message is clear: the road back is through form, fitness, and consistency at club level. Tuchel repeatedly emphasized that there’s a way back in for all of them.
For the squad selected, it’s a chance to prove their worth under pressure and cement their places in the World Cup plans.
And for Tuchel, these upcoming fixtures across friendlies and qualifiers will test whether his gamble was visionary or overly risky. If England deliver results and continue building momentum, it will reinforce his authority. If things stumble, the pressure will intensify — and critics will point to this selection as a turning point.
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