England have recalled Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka for next week’s fixtures against Wales and Latvia. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish will not feature.
Saka missed last month’s World Cup qualifying wins over Andorra and Serbia due to a hamstring injury. He returned for Arsenal this week and scored in their 2-0 win over Olympiacos.
The 24-year-old replaces teammate Noni Madueke, sidelined until November with a knee problem. England host Wales in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday before traveling to Riga for a World Cup qualifier on 14 October. If they beat Latvia, England will need just two points from November’s final qualifiers against Serbia and Albania to secure a spot in next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah joins the squad, replacing Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, who faces up to eight weeks out with a knee injury sustained against Arsenal. Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence retain their places after earning first call-ups last month. Ruben Loftus-Cheek also stays in the squad despite Adam Wharton returning to full fitness.
Saka has made only one appearance under manager Thomas Tuchel, coming in England’s 3-1 loss to Senegal in June. Bellingham missed the last international camp after shoulder surgery and has started only once for Real Madrid since returning. Foden dropped out of the previous squad due to a dip in form and has yet to force his way back in, despite a strong start with Manchester City. Grealish also misses out, despite a loan revival at Everton. He last played for England in October 2024 under interim coach Lee Carsley.
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Tuchel focuses on continuity
Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection draws attention more for those left out than those included. Bellingham’s exclusion surprises some, but Tuchel believes there is no rush to reintegrate the Real Madrid midfielder.
Foden and Grealish have impressed early this season, yet Tuchel wants to see more before recalling them. England’s dominant 5-0 win over Serbia reinforced his decision to stick with players who excelled in Belgrade.
Tuchel rewards consistency. Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers contributed significantly against Serbia. Madueke misses out due to injury after scoring and performing well in Belgrade. Anderson adapted quickly to senior international football, while Rogers filled Bellingham’s number 10 role seamlessly.
Tuchel values Grealish and Foden but prefers stability. England’s coach appears committed to maintaining the squad that delivered his best performance yet. The only minor surprise comes in the omission of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who started the season strongly and contributed to the Eagles’ 19-game unbeaten run. Tuchel, however, has sufficient midfield options.
Bellingham will play a role in the future, but for now Tuchel trusts those who achieved the team’s standout performance against Serbia.
