England Squad Announced: Not Arsenal, Man United or Liverpool at Top as 35-member Squad Named for March Friendlies

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Thomas Tuchel has officially named a robust 35-member England squad for the upcoming March 2026 friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

With the 2026 World Cup just months away, this double-header at Wembley serves as the penultimate chance for players to cement their places on the plane, making this selection highly significant.

Included in the deep roster is a blend of established tournament veterans and a surging wave of young talent, all of whom have been grouped below by their respective club affiliations to analyze the current landscape of club representation within the national team.

England Squad Breakdown by Clubs

*Marcus Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United.

Analysis: Which Clubs Dominate the Squad?

Nipping at their heels is Newcastle United, whose ambitious project has yielded five England representatives. This includes a revamped defensive unit featuring Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall, alongside the consistent forward presence of Anthony Gordon. Their representation is further boosted by Aaron Ramsdale, who found a new home on Tyneside to revive his international career.

Historically, the Manchester clubs would compete for the highest number of players, but their roles are slightly diminished here numerically. Manchester City still provides five players, including stalwarts like Phil Foden and John Stones, along with the notable emerging left-back Nico O'Reilly and goalkeeper James Trafford.

Arsenal also have four players in the squad with Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke called-up. Manchester United, meanwhile, has three players, highlighting a resurgence with the recall of veteran Harry Maguire and the youthful energy of Kobbie Mainoo, joining Marcus Rashford (who is still parented by United despite his loan in Spain).

The squad also showcases the remarkable depth of English talent, with significant contributions from Crystal Palace, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brentford, each contributing multiple players. It's a testament to the competition that a player of Cole Palmer's quality is the sole representative from Chelsea, illustrating the difficulty in securing a place in Tuchel's densely packed midfield.

Finally, the international contingent continues to be small but elite. Only three players are based outside of England full-time: the Real Madrid-Bayern Munich axis of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, and defender Jarell Quansah, who has developed into a top-tier center-back at Bayer Leverkusen.

This squad selection represents a statement of intent from Thomas Tuchel. By providing opportunities to 35 different players, he is ensuring every avenue is explored, but the cluster of representation from Arsenal and Newcastle shows where the core of his World Cup plans likely resides.