England vs Uruguay: Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Phil Foden among players hoping to impress Thomas Tuchel
England face Uruguay at Wembley on Friday in the first of two friendlies during the international break; Thomas Tuchel is using the game to look at some of the players on the fringes having named a split 35-man squad, so who will be out to impress?
Thursday 26 March 2026 12:37, UK
England's friendly against Uruguay is an invaluable opportunity for players pushing for a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.
With 11 of the most established members of his experimental 35-man group rested before Tuesday's meeting with Japan, including Marc Guehi, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane, there are openings throughout the team for others.
As England face Uruguay, and Tuchel takes a first-hand look at his options in the final camp before they jet out to the tournament in June, which players will seize the chance to impress?
Point to prove for Maguire?
Harry Maguire's chances of making the squad for a fourth major tournament appeared remote as recently as a couple of months ago but his resurgence under Michael Carrick earned him his first call-up in 18 months. "It was amazing to get the phone call," he said.
The 33-year-old was sent off against Bournemouth after hearing of his inclusion but his form, that lapse aside, has put him in a strong position as an experienced option alongside Guehi and Ezri Konsa, both of whom are being rested against Uruguay.
John Stones provides the option of another experienced head at centre-back but unlike Maguire, who has started last 10 games for Manchester United, Stones has been a peripheral figure for his club. He remains unreliable in terms of his fitness, with only two Manchester City starts under his belt since November.
Tuchel, though, has the option of pairing them together against Uruguay for the first time since England's friendly defeat to Brazil in March 2024, albeit with Fikayo Tomori as an alternative.
Given Guehi and Konsa appear to be Tuchel's preferred options in what has come to look like an area of renewal during his tenure, Friday's game may present a chance for Maguire and his old England centre-back partner to show they still have value.
Mainoo, Garner pushing?
There seems little doubt that Anderson and Rice will go to the tournament as starters but Tuchel can use the Uruguay game to look at other midfield options. He knows what Jordan Henderson can bring. He has looked at Adam Wharton before too. But what about Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner?
Mainoo has 10 England caps but none under Tuchel, having not featured for the national team since September 2024. Similarly to Maguire, his international prospects have been transformed by the arrival of Carrick in place of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
Mainoo has started every game under Carrick and Tuchel has clearly been watching. "I see his quality, so I want to meet him in person and see what he can do to get to know him. Competition is on for him."
One of the players he is competing with is the uncapped Garner, who received glowing praise from Tuchel after his call-up. The England boss described him as an "underrated" player and "fantastic team-mate" who stands out both physically and technically.
Tuchel also cited his versatility, a quality which may give him the edge on other midfield options, providing he can make the most of his opportunity. Garner has featured at right-back and left-back for Everton this season, as well as on both sides of midfield.
A European Championship winner with England's U21s in 2023, he will be eager for a chance to show what he can offer against Uruguay.
Opportunity for Palmer and Foden?
Phil Foden has enjoyed a positive week in front of the dartboard, stunning team-mates with a 180 during Luke Littler's visit to the England camp. Now his task is to hit the target against Uruguay.
The 25-year-old has a curiously underwhelming international record having only scored four times in 47 appearances. As such, he ranks as an outside bet in the battle to be considered England's first-choice No 10 despite his undoubted talent.
England have enviable depth in the position but with Eberechi Eze injured, Morgan Rogers rested, and Jude Bellingham still building up his fitness, the Uruguay game could be key to his hopes of forcing his way back to the forefront of his manager's thinking.
He is competing with another player enduring a difficult season in Cole Palmer, who excelled as an impact substitute during England's run to the Euro 2024 final but has struggled to kick on since.
Time for Calvert-Lewin?
Ollie Watkins impressed as England's alternative to Kane at Euro 2024 but his omission from Tuchel's squad has opened the door to others. The England boss says he is using the camp to get a "better picture" of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke.
Calvert-Lewin has not played for England since 2021 and admitted a return to the international fold felt "a million miles away" during his injury struggles but his rejuvenation at Leeds this season has thrust him back into contention.
The 29-year-old has scored 10 goals in 28 Premier League games for Daniel Farke's side. Crucially, he has also avoided any notable fitness setbacks, allowing him to demonstrate his quality as a targetman whose runs in behind offer something different to Kane.
Tuchel also has the option of fielding Marcus Rashford centrally against Uruguay but Calvert-Lewin and Solanke are the ones with something to prove before Kane's expected return against Japan.
Follow England vs Uruguay on Sky Sports' digital platforms on Friday; kick-off 7.45pm
