England’s final international break before Thomas Tuchel selects his provisional World Cup squad was undeniably a disappointing one. A late draw to Uruguay followed by a drab defeat to Japan both left the Wembley crowd uninspired and unnerved about the Three Lions’ prospects of going all the way in much tougher conditions in the United States this summer. England created very few clear chances and had fewer shots on target over the two matches (eight) than they did in their last qualifying match (10), an away win in Albania last November.

The absences of players like captain Harry Kane, go-to midfielder Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka and Reece James – who will both start on the right side if fit in summer – was sorely felt against Uruguay and Japan. A number of players failed to step up and take their opportunities after Tuchel named an initial 35-player squad. Express Sport looks at 10 who should NOT be on the plane, and others who are at real risk of missing out on the final 26-man group…

It was a dramatic return to the England camp for White, who was booed on, scored, and then conceded a penalty against Uruguay. He was unlucky in that one. But Japan exploited the space behind him, doing so to score the only goal of the game, and White didn’t do nearly enough on the ball in attack. In these two games, he hasn’t earned a spot in the squad.

At 35, without a senior cap to his name, this omission needs little explanation. But Steele is still actually likely to go to the World Cup. Not as one of the three keepers in the squad, though, but instead as a training shot-stopper.

James Trafford is the future between the sticks, so he gets the third spot after Jordan Pickford, and Aaron Ramsdale has just nine Premier League starts to Dean Henderson’s 29. It’s just a trio that makes sense despite Ramsdale going to the last three major tournaments.

Hasn’t had a cap since September 2022. And has lost his place at Newcastle to Ramsdale, who we’ve already argued should miss out. Next!

Was called up in November as a replacement but hasn’t played since last June’s loss to Senegal. The brutal truth is that he’s simply inferior to England’s other centre-back options.

A very good player who has won four caps under Thomas Tuchel. But none of them was starts, and he hasn’t been in the squad for the last four matches, despite this latest squad being an expanded one. Ipso facto, Gibbs White shouldn’t go to the World Cup.

The 33-year-old Newcastle defender has been a regular fixture in the squad under Tuchel since making his debut under the German in March last year. He’s certainly a set-piece threat. But England just has better options at both centre-back and left-back.

Fourteen goals and five assists for Newcastle this season, but his only hope of a World Cup spot is if there are injuries. His best chance of going was surely via Scotland, a route he’s rejected.

He won’t play against Tottenham at the World Cup, so you don’t need much more reasoning than that! No, he’s a supremely talented footballer but he’s only started 16 Premier League games and five of his six goals came against Spurs. With the competition in attack, despite being a magician, Eze’s limited minutes at Arsenal have to count against him.

The former Liverpool defender made a good decision going to Germany to play for Bayer Leverkusen, where he plays every week. But he’s still below the other senior centre-halves for this tournament. Euro 2028, however, could be different.

The Manchester United midfielder’s first England start since September 2024 was not a good one. He was off the pace defensively. He could miss out in favour of James Garner.

He should be on the plane. But it’s also not an absolute guarantee. The Chelsea talisman was poor against Japan and, partly due to injuries, is a shadow of the player he was two years ago. And there’s a lot of choice in attack. There’s a basis there for him to miss out, but his talent should mean he’s safe. Just.

As above. On talent and potential alone, like Palmer, Foden should be there. But it’s not that simple, and there have often been questions about whether the Man City playmaker produces enough for England.

The fact that he wasn’t in the initial 35-man squad when Reece James was out injured, and wasn’t called up as a replacement when Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Harvey Barnes pulled out, says it all.

The AC Milan defender is bidding to be the fourth choice centre-back after Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Harry Maguire. If John Stones is fit, he might get the nod instead.

Needs to help Tottenham avoid Premier League relegation with some goals if he wants to be the No.2 to Harry Kane in America. Only has 135 minutes to his name for England so far at the age of 28. But probably still has the edge over the next man…

Missed a good chance to score against Uruguay. After Kane, only Mason Greenwood and Danny Welbeck have scored more goals than Calvert-Lewin in Europe’s top five leagues this season. Yet he’s still very uncertain of his spot in the 26.

The biggest name not in this latest squad after Trent. Watkins was the semi-final hero at Euro 2024, but he’s underwhelmed at Aston Villa this season, admitting recently: “My form hasn’t been that great.” He also missed the November squad with a knee injury. Needs a run of form.

EXPRESS SPORT’S PROJECTED ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford

Defenders: James, Hall, Spence, Livramento, Guehi, Konsa, Maguire, Stones, O’Reilly

Midfielders: Bellingham, Rice, Anderson, Wharton, Garner, Henderson

Forwards: Rashford, Kane, Solanke, Palmer, Saka, Rogers, Gordon, Madueke