Ollie Watkins goes to the 2026 World Cup as one of the most in-form strikers in Thomas Tuchel's squad. Three months ago, he was left out of England's March international camp. In the 12 matches that followed, he scored 11 goals, helped Aston Villa end a 44-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa League, and finished the season with 21 goals across all competitions. The case for including him became impossible to argue against.

How Watkins responded after his March omission

Speaking to goal.com, Watkins called the decision "a blessing in disguise." "Sometimes, when something gets taken away from you, you realise how important it is," he said, "and it gives you that fire in your belly to come back and show people what you can do."

He had started picking up form before the March camp, scoring an important goal against Lille in the Europa League round of 16. Over the weeks that followed, the returns kept coming: 11 goals in 12 matches, a Europa League winners medal, and a top-four Premier League finish for Villa. By the time Tuchel named his World Cup squad, leaving Watkins out would have been the harder call.

"The manager always had faith in me," Watkins told goal.com. "So it is nice I could repay him with the performances and goals and to show I deserved to be here. I felt in the big moments, when the team needed me, I stepped up and came up with some big goals and some big performances."

Whether the March omission was purely form-based is worth questioning. Reports at the time suggested Tuchel had already indicated he saw other players ahead of Watkins in the pecking order, meaning the decision may have reflected a pre-existing preference as much as his output at that point. But the 11 goals that followed made any continued doubt hard to sustain. Twenty caps and six international goals precede this summer, and the question now is whether he carries that momentum into North America.

Mainoo's return and Maguire's exit

Kobbie Mainoo tells a similar story to Watkins. Ruben Amorim had marginalised him at Manchester United. After Michael Carrick took charge, Mainoo started 16 of the next 17 available games, missing only one through injury. United finished third in the Premier League, and his form during that run was central to England's decision to recall him.

"I told him that I was very grateful," Mainoo said of Carrick, speaking to si.com. "Because if he hadn't put me on the pitch, then I wouldn't have been here, so I'm always grateful to him for that." Tuchel clearly watched that period closely. Both Carrick's restored faith and England's observation of Mainoo's improved form contributed to the recall.

Harry Maguire is watching from home. He holds 66 England caps and 28 major-tournament appearances, and played a significant role in United's third-place finish. His response made clear the decision felt unjust: "I was confident I could of played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had. I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision," he told dailystar.co.uk.

The case for Maguire is genuine. Emile Heskey, speaking to the Standard, called his omission the biggest surprise in the squad, noting his contribution in both boxes as an asset Tuchel would need. That is a fair assessment of his 2025-26 season. But Tuchel's preference for younger defensive options reflects a longer-term calculation rather than a verdict on what Maguire produced this year. His England career is not concluded by this squad alone.

Why Tuchel called up Elliot Anderson

Elliot Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle for £35 million in summer 2024 after the club decided he was not part of their long-term plans. By the end of 2025-26, he had played all 38 Premier League games, won 289 duels across those appearances, more than any other player in the division, and completed 2,080 passes, more than Declan Rice or Bernardo Silva.

Tuchel was direct: "Anderson is a key player for us at the moment. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League — that's why he is with us and starting for us. He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive."

The fair counter is that Anderson's numbers came from a side that finished 16th. Volume statistics in a deep midfield role on a lower-half team involve different pressures than the same metrics from a top-four setup. Anderson acknowledged the position had taken time to settle: "I feel like I've sort of nailed a position," he told goal.com. "I know I did it last season, but I have found myself really comfortable in centre-mid, No.6, No.8." Tuchel's assessment suggests he is satisfied with what he sees, and England have chosen a midfielder with the physical output to match whatever tactical shape they adopt across a 48-team tournament.

Joe Cole, speaking to the Independent, urged focus forward: "Let's not keep talking about the players that are not there, let's keep talking about the players that are there, and the players that are going to help us win, because we've got so many matchwinners."

The common thread in Tuchel's selections is ascendant form. Watkins scored 11 goals in 12 games after his March omission. Mainoo started 16 of 17 under a manager who trusted him at a turning-point club. Anderson won more duels and completed more passes than any midfielder in the league. Whether those numbers translate under World Cup pressure is what North America will settle.

FAQ

Will Ollie Watkins start for England at the 2026 World Cup?

Watkins earned his World Cup place with 11 goals in 12 matches after being left out of England's March camp. He finished 2025-26 with 21 goals across all competitions and helped Aston Villa win the Europa League. Watkins told goal.com the manager always had faith in him. His form makes him a leading contender to start in North America.

Why was Harry Maguire left out of England's 2026 World Cup squad?

Maguire was omitted despite holding 66 England caps, 28 major-tournament appearances, and playing a significant role in Manchester United's third-place Premier League finish in 2025-26. Tuchel chose younger defensive options. Maguire said he was shocked and gutted by the decision. Emile Heskey called it the biggest surprise in the squad, citing Maguire's contribution in both boxes.

Why is Elliot Anderson in England's World Cup squad?

Anderson played all 38 Premier League games for Nottingham Forest in 2025-26, won 289 duels (more than any other player in the division), and completed 2,080 passes, more than Declan Rice or Bernardo Silva. Tuchel described him as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and a key player in England's current system.

How did Kobbie Mainoo get back into England's World Cup squad?

Mainoo was marginalised at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim before Michael Carrick restored him to the starting XI. He started 16 of 17 possible games under Carrick, with United finishing third in the Premier League. Mainoo credited Carrick's decision to play him as crucial, and Tuchel responded by including him in the World Cup squad.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →