Tuchel begins calls to England players left out of World Cup squad

Thomas Tuchel has already started contacting the England players who have not made the cut.

The squad will be made public on Friday. For the 26 who are selected, the tournament offers a chance to win the World Cup in New Jersey on July 19. For those who receive the call with bad news, there will only be a summer of what might have been.

BBC Sport looks at the key decisions Tuchel has faced in picking his final squad.

Some of Tuchel's biggest dilemmas have been in defense, where there have been injury and fitness issues. Centre-back John Stones would normally have been one of the first names on the England manager's list. When he took the job, Tuchel identified captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Stones as the key members of his leadership group. The German stayed in regular contact with the trio via text message during the opening months of his reign, assuring them of how important they were to his plans.

A fully fit Stones is a nailed-on starter for England this summer. But the 31-year-old has made just four Premier League starts this season. Central defenders Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa look certain to make the plane to North America, while Harry Maguire's international recall in March will increase the Manchester United man's hopes of a place. Jarell Quansah's versatility could count in his favour, while Trevoh Chalobah and Fikayo Tomori were both included in the squad for March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan but face an uphill struggle to make the final 26. Levi Colwill, who has only recently returned from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury, was included in Tuchel's extended 55-man party for the tournament but is unlikely to make the full squad.

At right-back, all eyes will be on whether Trent Alexander-Arnold makes the cut. On the face of it, the Real Madrid man should fear the worst. He wasn't included in the squad for March's internationals despite Tuchel selecting more than 30 players in total. Last year, Tuchel said Quansah was ahead of him in the pecking order. That said, Tuchel has issues at right-back. Reece James, who is expected to start the tournament as first choice in the position, has endured an injury-disrupted campaign. Tino Livramento would also usually be selected, but the Newcastle full-back hasn't played since mid-April because of a thigh injury. The doubt over Livramento's fitness, coupled with the expected exclusion of Arsenal's Ben White, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, could yet open the door for Alexander-Arnold. And with England anticipating the majority of the ball in their Group L matches against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, Alexander-Arnold's strengths in possession may suit Tuchel's side during the early stages of the tournament. Tottenham's Djed Spence could also be an option, having played four times under Tuchel.

Luke Shaw's run into form has given Tuchel a welcome headache as he finalises his squad. Nico O'Reilly's outstanding form for Manchester City means he will almost certainly be selected, with Newcastle duo Dan Burn and Lewis Hall also hoping to get the nod.

Tuchel's reign has been dominated by debate over who will be his number 10. He shocked many last October by leaving out Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, just recovered from injury, to keep a settled squad. That allowed Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, who started five of England's eight World Cup qualifying games, to continue as number 10. Tuchel has looked to build a club feel around this England team and has repeatedly said that the collective is more important than an individual. Of the other creative options, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden will be anxious as they wait to discover if they are called up. Chelsea midfielder Palmer has started just twice under Tuchel, having missed the majority of the World Cup qualifying campaign because of injury. Foden was the only England player to start both of March's friendlies but did not impress. Tuchel admitted after the last international break that the midfielder, who has not been a regular starter recently for Manchester City, is not guaranteed a spot on the plane.