It’s fair to say that Thomas Tuchel has ruffled a few feathers with his England squad for this summer’s World Cup.There was no room for Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White or Cole Palmer. Or the Manchester United defensive pairing of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.Instead, the England manager has turned to the likes of Ivan Toney, Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento as the Euro 2024 runners-up look to go one better in the United States, Canada and Mexico.A breakdown of the squad per league minutes played shows that much of England’s starting spine will arrive into the tournament with plenty of miles on the clock — with Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers and Harry Kane having played 75 per cent or more of the 2025-26 season.There is an interesting mix of experience in the squad. Six players have more than 50 caps for England but there are also 10 players who have 10 caps or fewer. The blend is two groups at either end of the scale, with no player in the squad boasting between 30 and 40 caps.Arsenal and Manchester City bring the most players to the squad (four each) — Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Madueke from the Premier League champions, and an interesting mix of City players — from likely starters (Guehi and Nico O’Reilly) to expected squad players (John Stones and James Trafford). Interestingly, Stones and Trafford have just 631 league minutes between them this season.Three Aston Villa players and three Newcastle players prop up the squad, with 12 other clubs represented by a single player.Our data and tactics writers analyse the 26 players that Tuchel did pick for the tournament — and what each of them will offer England at the World Cup…The goalkeepers (3)Jordan Pickford (Everton)Whatever your opinion on Jordan Pickford might be in an Everton shirt, no one can argue that England’s No 1 has always delivered for his country.Pickford’s distribution has long been discussed as his main strength in the England goalkeeper debate but his shot-stopping has been excellent this season — making crucial saves and preventing four goals above expectation, based on the quality of shots faced.Arriving at a major international tournament in good form is important for any player, but there is a heightened responsibility on your starting goalkeeper to instil calmness and trust across the team. Pickford will offer you that.Mark CareyDean Henderson (Nottingham Forest)Only Pickford (13.8) and Emiliano Martinez (11.3) have prevented more non-penalty goals in the Premier League since 2023-24 than Henderson’s 7.8. In three seasons at Selhurst Park, he has developed into a reliable presence in goal and his personality, similar to Pickford, attracts fans and critics.Henderson’s remit in possession within Palace’s direct system has been straightforward, with 61 per cent of his league passes in 2025-26 going long. If needed by Tuchel, though, his distribution will be tested. Anantaajith RaghuramanJames Trafford (Manchester City)Barring a significant injury to Pickford, James Trafford will understand his role as a back-up goalkeeper in this squad — as he has done for his club this season. The 23-year-old did manage to start in two cup finals for Manchester City, but things have not quite gone to plan in 2025-26, with just three league starts to speak of since making the move from Burnley last summer.(Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Trafford does have experience of success internationally, with an integral role played in England’s under-21 victory in the 2023 European Championships — saving a last-minute penalty against Spain in the final.Mark CareyThe defenders (9)Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)England are not overspilling with options at centre-back but Ezri Konsa is a reliable squad option. He is one of only 10 players to clock more than 3,000 Premier League minutes this season, while his passing accuracy of 95.5 per cent is the highest of anyone in the division.As a defender, he is passive, preferring to hang back and sweep while a more front-footed partner challenges and scraps up ahead. When he is called upon, however, he rarely fouls and wins a high proportion of his duels.No thrills, but fewer spills; he will be a dependable presence around England’s most uncertain area of the pitch.Thom HarrisNico O’Reilly (Manchester City)Nico O’Reilly has evolved into one of Manchester City’s players of the season. A versatile operator who has played attacking and central midfield and at left-back, he can navigate tight spaces with both his ball-carrying and neat short passing. O’Reilly offers plenty of off-the-ball running too, especially on the underlap, and has picked up some great positions in the final third to score nine goals and assist six more across competitions, as seen below.As with his in-possession play, both his physique and technique stand out without the ball too. O’Reilly’s 5.9 ‘true’ interceptions (which includes interceptions and blocked passes) per 1000 opposition touches ranks fifth among full-backs with 900 or more Premier League minutes. Anantaajith RaghuramanMarc Guehi (Manchester City)Having adapted pretty seamlessly since his January move to Manchester City, Marc Guehi is arguably England’s first-choice centre-back.He moves the ball nicely through the lines with zipped passes on both feet, carries the ball confidently out from the back, and is comfortable defending in wide areas when he’s dragged out of position.Though we haven’t seen it much at City, Guehi is also a threat from set pieces, having taken more shots than any other Premier League centre-back this season. He has largely played on the left, but certainly has the skill set to shift to the other side to accommodate potential centre-back partners.His experience, incisive distribution and versatility will all be called upon this summer.Thom HarrisJohn Stones (Manchester City)On his day, John Stones is the unflappable, quietly dominant centre-back who makes winning teams tick. It is testament to that ability that Pep Guardiola made him his first signing at Manchester City ago, and that the pair will leave the club together 10 years on.The problem is that we don’t know how close to his best the 31-year-old currently is.(Stu Forster/Getty Images)It has been a tough season for the Manchester City man, his game time dwindling amid persistent injuries and stern competition for starts. He has featured in just 11 per cent of possible minutes in the Premier League this season, largely consigned to cup games and Champions League group stage outings where, to be fair, he looked like his composed self.Stones’ ability on the ball will assist England’s build-up while his experience and trophy-winning know-how will bring a calming influence on the group. Hopefully his fitness holds up.Thom HarrisDan Burn (Newcastle United)You know what you’re going to get with Dan Burn. Maximum commitment, no-nonsense defending and a strong aerial presence. Aside from his profile offering something different within an international set-up, Burn will be well-regarded for his versatility to play centre-back or left-back — as he has done for his club side this season.(Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)He might not be at the forefront of Tuchel’s mind when looking at the starting line-up but Burn will be a valuable squad member that could prove to be a very useful tool in both boxes if England were protecting — or searching for — a lead when the game is tight.