World Cup stories: Five names that could break into England's squad for 2026

With the World Cup now just 93 days away, time is beginning to run out for players to stake a claim to be part of England's squad for the tournament this summer. 

The Three Lions have two final friendlies later this month, against Japan and Uruguay, which would appear to be a last chance for players to impress Thomas Tuchel before the manager starts to finalise his plans for the tournament. 

England haven't been in action since November and in that time several stars have hit some form that could see them gatecrash Tuchel's party for the finals. 

DAZN News looks at five possible players who could make a late run at England's World Cup squad. 

• Read next I 94 days - The players who made their name on the World Cup stage

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Danny Welbeck 

One of the positions that looks undecided is who will go to North America as the understudy for Harry Kane in the striker's role for England. 

Ollie Watkins' form has made him a huge doubt to continue the role he performed two years ago, putting the focus on the league's highest scoring Englishmen instead, one of whom is Welbeck. 

The Brighton man is having a renaissance down on the South Coast, and has already hit a career-high of 11 goals in all competitions this season. 

A seasoned international, having won 42 caps for his country and played in two major tournaments, at 35, he wouldn't expect to be in a starting berth but could have just enough gas in the tank to be an able deputy for the skipper. 

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Luke Shaw 

Left-back is the one area of the team where no player has been able to claim the position, with Tuchel having tried several options during his year in charge. 

One player who hasn't been given a run under the German is Luke Shaw, who this season has put his injury woes behind him and started every Premier League game for Manchester United in 2025-26. 

With 34 caps to his name already and experience of playing at major tournaments, Shaw would seamlessly slot back into England duty and give the team the 'proper' left-back that they've been missing since he fell out of favour. 

Shaw isn't the only one in the United backline either, with Harry Maguire also a possible name who could also get a recall ahead of tournament time. 

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Kobbie Mainoo 

Two years ago, Mainoo started for England in the Euro 2024 final, but having endured frustrations at club level, he's yet to play a minute under Thomas Tuchel. 

However, since the arrival of Michael Carrick, the 20-year-old has been back in the picture and has started every game for the interim boss. 

Mainoo's temperament and control allow the players around him the creative freedom to do their thing and could be ideal in the tournament's latter stages. 

Competition is fierce in England's engine room, but the United star may have played his back into contention.

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Harvey Barnes 

The talk around Barnes' for most of this season had been his expected switch to Scotland ahead of this summer's World Cup, but Newcastle winger shunned the opportunity and is holding out for another shot with England. 

Given his form this campaign, it's not out of the realm of possibility. Barnes has 13 goals across all competitions and has starred for the Magpies in the Champions League alongside Anthony Gordon. He's also the chalk on your boots type of wide player that Tuchel loves. 

His biggest obstacle might just be the sheer volume of names already ahead of him in the pecking order that may prevent him from adding to his solitary England cap. 

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin 

Ending up where we started and the race to be Harry Kane's back-up in the States, with another option being the revitalised Calvert-Lewin. 

The striker has been one of the low-key signings of the season, having put his injury troubles behind him and become the focal point of Leeds' attack this term. 

His ten goals are his best return for five years and he'd go to the World Cup knowing his role would be to deputise when needed in England's attack. 

With Ollie Watkins' drop in form and Ivan Toney not impressing, if Calvert-Lewin can finish the season in style, he could steal a seat on the plane. 

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