Right! That’s enough from me. Thanks for staying with us and thanks to John Brewin who did the (three) lions’ share of the heavy lifting earlier. A reminder that you can read Jacob Steinberg’s summary of England’s squad below. Germany awaits!
Ivan Toney is a surprise inclusion as centre-forward/penalty specialist given Harry Kane will start as the sole striker when fit and Ollie Watkins is his most likely deputy. But it will mean so much to him after a trying season for many reasons and it’s clearly a source of pride for his club, too.
The first Brentford player ever to represent @England at a major tournament 🏴@ivantoney24 making history 🦁 pic.twitter.com/XOdSJRGU1U
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 6, 2024
While that is England’s 26 for Germany, it’s worth noting that the deadline to submit the squad to Uefa is midnight on Friday. That’s after England’s friendly against Iceland at Wembley that evening. So if any players turn an ankle, or worse, then Southgate has time to make changes.
Jarell Quansah is staying with the squad and, while the manager didn’t officially name him as a first reserve, he’ll likely step up in the event of an injury to any defender.
But what happens if one of England’s attacking aces is forced to pull out of the squad before midnight tomorrow? Is Gareth forced to call up Grealish or Maddison for an awkward chat? “J-man, it’s The Gate. I always knew you were good enough for the squad …”
Conor Gallagher may be the player who starts alongside Declan Rice at the Euros – and he might also stay at Chelsea next season, despite interest in the central midfielder from Spurs and Aston Villa.
Crystal Palace admirers rejoice: they are the most represented club in this England squad. Four players: Marc Guéhi, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Dean Henderson.
Admittedly, the last of those may not see too much action being the likely third-choice keeper, but it does backup what Gareth Southgate said about picking players on form. Palace finished the season on fire and Guéhi, Eze and Wharton have reaped the benefit.
Gareth Southgate addressed this in his presser, but it is interesting that it’s a very different squad from the one at the Qatar World Cup only 18-ish months ago.
Some of that is forced, with Harry Maguire’s injury costing the defender a place. But for a manager who has often been accused of being overly loyal to his favourites, The Gate has been ruthless and/or refreshing in taking in new, emerging talent.
Half of the England squad from the 2022 World Cup CULLED
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) June 6, 2024
So, who are England’s 26-man squad after a day of selection drama? These are the players who are going to Germany this summer – confirmed. Have a read.
Updated
On the England’s availability against Iceland on Friday, Southgate says: Lewis Dunk is unavailable, Luke Shaw is in rehab. “Everyone else is available – Harry [Kane] could play 90 minutes, not sure he will. No other concerns at the moment.”
And with that, Southgate thanks the press and says goodbye – refraining, in a tremendous act of restraint, from pounding the dais with his fists and screaming “It’s coming home!” Probably for the best.
Declan Rice is alongside his manager and, after singing the praises of Kobbie Mainoo – his composure as well as his talent – Rice says he doesn’t mind who he plays alongside in central midfield.
On the players not picked: “Madders and Jack are two of my best mates in the squad.” The pair are “gutted”, the Arsenal midfielder says, but confirms that Maddison and Grealish both spoke to the squad and wished them all the very best.
Luke Shaw could be ready for the second group game, based on his progress so far in returning from injury, claims Southgate. “I think you can take one gamble,” says the manager on selecting a player who hasn’t played for Manchester United since February, “and I think that’s a gamble that could pay off.”
In terms of picking two back-up centre-forwards, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, Southgate denies that it’s to do with worries over Harry Kane’s fitness. “They all offer something different,” he says on the perhaps surprising selection, given it was thought to be a choice between the pair. “We know Harry is the starting guy, but Ivan and Ollie have different attributes and offer alternative strengths.”
On the absence of Harry Maguire, The Gate tells us: “We need players that are fit to go from the start… Another really difficult call. You know what Harry has done for us and for me as a coach.”
Jarrel Quansah is staying with the squad, in case of any defensive injuries in training or against Iceland on Friday, so he’s in a backup role.
On the absence of Grealish and Madison, Southgate says: “All of the players took the news really respectfully. All top players believe they should be in - that’s the mindset they have … but other players have had stronger seasons, especially in the last six months.”
A sign perhaps that the manager has picked this squad taking current form seriously into account (at least when it comes to the attacking talent).
Thanks John. Gareth Southgate is here in a claret polo shirt to explain why he’s broken the hearts of all the young kids with Jack Grealish – and indeed James Trafford – replica shirts. He describes it as the “most difficult” time, making this selection and handing out the bad news to those not picked.
Gareth Southgate is due to speak any moment now, and Alex Reid is the man to take you through the England manager’s news conference.
That midfield looks at least as callow as the defence, and a lot may rest on these young shoulders.
Kobbie 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BnNXFmLtKK
— England (@England) June 6, 2024
James Trafford was the one omitted here, and will be on standby.
day 1 pic.twitter.com/keqqJc70Lp
— James trafford (@Jamestrafford6) May 29, 2024
Full squad story from Jacob Steinberg
Gareth Southgate has made the ruthless decision to cut Jack Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad and will be without Harry Maguire for the tournament because of a calf injury.
The manager, who had already dropped James Maddison and Curtis Jones from his provisional 33-man squad, has also left out the goalkeeper James Trafford and two more defenders in Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah to create a final 26.
Grealish, who has had a disappointing season at Manchester City, has failed to dislodge rivals players in attacking midfield. The loss of Maguire is a huge blow to Southgate given the defender’s importance to England in past tournaments. Marc Guéhi has been the first back-up centre-half behind Maguire and John Stones.
Southgate’s other options in that position will be Ezri Konsa, Joe Gomez and Lewis Dunk. The omission of Branthwaite and Quansah means Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins will travel to Germany as back-up to Harry Kane.
Breaking: England 26-man squad announced
James Trafford, the goalkeeper, is the final omission from the original 33.
Your #ThreeLions for #EURO2024! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/klzkNNTafI
— England (@England) June 6, 2024
In full:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.
Defenders: Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton.
Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Cole Plamer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.
Omitted: James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, Curtis Jones, Jarrell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Trafford.
Updated
Do we have an answer to this question yet?
Consider Southgate’s words after the Wembley friendly against Australia in October when he started Alexander-Arnold at right‑back but asked him to get up and across into midfield. After the hour, Southgate moved him to the right of the midfield two in the 4‑2‑3-1 and he watched him come to seek space to the right, away from a congested central zone.
“I think he’s an 8,” Southgate said. “Although we didn’t play with an 8 [against Australia], which is why we got him in at full-back, it is an option. He’s got qualities that are very different to all of our midfield players and we want to keep looking at it as much as we can.”
England went out in the quarter-finals with those players.
The last time #ENG went to a tournament in Germany, the 4 centre-backs in the (23-man 2006 World Cup) squad were: Ferdinand, Terry, Campbell and Carragher - 164 caps. Of this squad, Stones has 71 caps while Guehi, Dunk and Konsa have 19 between them (nb versatile Gomez has 14).
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 6, 2024
Remember back in 2002 when the England squad got to celebrate getting picked by partying at Beckingham Palace with Liz Hurley and Elton John?
Per Hello in 2002. It was all for charity, the NSPCC to be precise.
Never known for doing things by halves, Victoria and David Beckham are about to throw a World Cup bash to end all pre-match celebrations. The party, which will take place on Sunday in a specially created Japanese garden under canvas in the grounds of their Hertfordshire mansion, is expected to cost £350,000 – with £75,000 of that being splashed out on champagne.
The dress code is strictly “white tie and diamonds”.Sixty thousand orchids and bamboo stems will help create an exotic Eastern ambience, while A-list guests, including Elton John and Irish crooner Ronan Keating as well as members of the World Cup squad, will tuck into sushi and sashimi. In line with the Japanese theme they will be greeted by “geisha” girls, and serenaded upon arrival by opera singer Russell Watson.
The gala event will the be the England team’s last opportunity to let loose before they head for Dubai and final preparations for the World Cup.
Solidarity from a fellow centre-half here. Branthwaite had an excellent season though can be impetuous, while Lewis Dunk is more of an organiser. Beyond John Stones, that’s a callow set of centre-backs. Everton may want their man to go to put the price up in the event of a good tournament performance.
Lots of bigger names than Jarrad Branthwaite have missed out on the @England squad, but he should’ve been picked to go to @EURO2024 he’s England’s present & future.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) June 6, 2024
While we wait for more news, here’s Will Unwin’s take on the day’s news in our daily newsletter. Sign up. It’s a lot of fun.
Perhaps the surprise selection, the wrinkle, we understand has been made is the retention of Ivan Toney AND Ollie Watkins. Two players who offer different things but are both centre-forwards. Perhaps Watkins has been kept to add pace down the left-hand channel. As it stands, if Harry Kane stays fit, neither will be asked to play too much football when it matters. That’s a big if, of course. Ivan Toney retained for penalty shootouts?
Before we knew of Maguire and Grealish’s exits, James Maddison was the headline maker. David Hytner ran the rule over the reasons behind his omission.
Adam Wharton, a player of rare talent, is set to be the big winner, the wild card, this year’s Theo Walcott. Though hopefully he gets on the field.
Earlier, James Maddison made plain his feelings at his departure from the camp.
Devastated doesn’t quite cut it. Trained well and worked hard all week but if I’m honest with myself, my form for Spurs when coming back from injury in the second half of the season probably wasn’t at the levels I had set which gave Gareth a decision to make. I still thought… pic.twitter.com/LwhIhCPDxS
— James Maddison (@Madders10) June 6, 2024
Harry Maguire confirms his exit
Injury has prevented one of Gareth Southgate’s mainstays from making the cut.
I am devastated not to have been selected to play for England at the Euros this summer.
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) June 6, 2024
Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to overcome an injury to my calf. Maybe I pushed myself too hard, to try and make it. Simply, I am absolutely gutted.
For me, representing… pic.twitter.com/n7WXMuAzuO
Preamble
The breaking news from the England camp is this: Harry Maguire OUT, Jack Grealish OUT.
We already knew that James Maddison was OUT and Curtis Jones was OUT, and the expectation is that Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarrell Quansah are OUT, with one goalkeeper – James Trafford or Dean Henderson are OUT, to complete the cut from 33 to 26.
The official announcement will come around 5.30pm or so. Join us for the latest.
