#squad-selection

#squad-selection

Their 'golden generation' may have been and gone, but an exciting crop of young talent are bursting through, raising hopes across the country ahead of next summer's competition. You may like Kevin De Bruyne, who is ranked at No.1 in FourFourTwo's list of the best Premier League midfielders of all time, was not in the last squad after suffering a high-grade hamstring injury when taking a penalty for Napoli in October. There are reports he could miss the World Cup with his recovery set at at least four months.

The current Nations League champions had to wait until the final matchday of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, but they hammered Luxembourg 9-1, easing any concerns they might have to rely on the play-offs. A loss against Ireland in Dublin, which also saw superstar Cristiano Ronaldo receive his first-ever red card for the national team, was the only major blemish on what was otherwise a successful qualifying campaign.

The Ghana World Cup 2026 squad is starting to become a little clearer though we won't get to watch them this winter. Ghana lost just once through the qualification process for World Cup 2026, and qualified for a second successive tournament, meaning they have qualified for all but two tournaments this century. The Black Stars squad has heaps of talent throughout it, with regular Premier League starters ready to show up for their nation.

"For a coach, it's great to have a player like Eric. We didn't have De Jong , and we knew Eric would be the right choice," he told reporters.

Sarina Wiegman has recalled Lauren Hemp and Grace Clinton for England's upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana, but there was no room for Chelsea's Lauren James. Hemp had been out of action for over two months with an ankle injury, but returned for club side Manchester City in their league wins over Everton and Manchester United. Clinton, meanwhile, pulled out of the Lionesses' previous squad last month due to a small injury, but is deemed fit enough to return to Wiegman's ranks for the two matches.

Forward Lauren Hemp has returned to the England squad for the first time since Euro 2025 after recovering from injury, but Lauren James is not included. Manchester City's Hemp, 25, was out with an ankle injury for two months but featured in her side's victories over Everton and Manchester United. Meanwhile James, 24, returned for Chelsea's 6-0 win over St Polten last week and their 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday as a substitute.

Andy Farrell will avoid squad overhaul and trust his current troops to kickstart a stuttering season

We're not going to think too much of the European Championship quarter-finals. It is, however, hard to believe that Wuck and his team will not be looking to that Euro 2025 last-eight game for both motivation and inspiration. That match in Basel was memorable a 10-player Germany coming from behind to beat their old rivals on penalties in a game they arguably should never have won but which showed them much about their character.

Goalkeepers (3) Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope Pickford is as nailed down a number one as it is possible to be and is set for his third World Cup between the posts barring any calamity. Henderson is regularly excellent in goal for Palace who continue to impress, and James Trafford's relegation to the Manchester City bench opens up a spot. Nick Pope is a reliable third-choice option uunless Tuchel thinks taking Trafford will be a beneficial experience for tournaments to come.