Thomas Tuchel clearly explained the reason behind the surprising call-up of Rashford to the England national team.

Coach Thomas Tuchel spoke out regarding Marcus Rashford's call-up to the England national team.

Thomas Tuchel recently announced the England squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, making several unexpected choices. Among them, Marcus Rashford, once sidelined at Manchester United, became the most notable name called up to the England team.

Rashford is currently playing for Barcelona on loan from Manchester United. His decision to leave Old Trafford to regain form is seen as a major turning point in his career and the reason Tuchel trusts him. The German coach believes Rashford’s willingness to change his environment, adapt to a new football culture in Spain, and quickly earn a starting spot at Barca clearly demonstrates his ambition.

“Marcus had a strong first call-up. He gave his all to become the best version of himself. I wanted to encourage him and give him a chance. Although he missed the second call-up, moving to Barcelona shows great determination. Marcus has been playing regularly, and I want to maintain his momentum,” Tuchel shared.

In the England squad, Rashford competes directly for the left wing position against Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) and Anthony Gordon (Newcastle). It’s a highly competitive area, but Tuchel believes the former Man United forward still holds an advantage: “Marcus offers one-on-one situations and can finish with both feet. He has the speed, physique, and strength to threaten any opponent. His task is to maintain his performance,” Tuchel stated.

While Rashford was given a chance, Tuchel shocked many by leaving out several familiar faces. Trent Alexander-Arnold was omitted, Kyle Walker did not make the squad and may stop at 96 caps, and Jack Grealish remains absent. On the other hand, Djed Spence was given an opportunity, and Elliot Anderson was called up for the first time to provide midfield support alongside Declan Rice. Additionally, Adam Wharton was included.

Tuchel explained: “What matters is how Adam and Elliot perform in training sessions. This is a big opportunity for them. Each match will demand tactical, physical, and stylistic differences. We value training quality and will make specific decisions based on the opponent.”

Besides personnel matters, the England coach also talked about the scouting trip to the United States, the host country for the 2026 World Cup. He warned: “The intense heat, high humidity, and long travel distances will be major challenges for the teams. Experiencing it firsthand showed that the difficulties will be far harsher than expected.”