England confirm Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision as ex-Leeds United flop included in World Cup squad
The in-form Leeds United striker was fighting for a place at this summer's World Cup.
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has missed out on a place in England's 2026 World Cup squad.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel officially confirmed his 26-man squad on Friday morning, although various leaks allowed it to be pieced together the previous evening. Calvert-Lewin was not one of three strikers named in the group, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli preferred alongside Harry Kane.
Calvert-Lewin notched his 14th goal of the Premier League season in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Brighton, making him the joint-highest scoring Englishman in the top-flight. He’s level with Watkins and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who has also been left out of the England squad.
Toney hasn’t been involved in a Tuchel England setup for almost 12 months, having last featured for his country in a June friendly against Senegal last year. The former Brentford striker has scored 32 goals in 32 Saudi Pro League appearances this season.
Calvert-Lewin was given hope of a potential World Cup spot after ending his five-year wait for international football in March. He was called up by Tuchel for England’s first friendly of the break against Uruguay, playing just over half an hour off the bench before a pre-planned return to Thorp Arch ahead of a second game against Japan.
The striker addressed his World Cup hopes in a recent episode of the Official Leeds United podcast. He said: “It was a great feeling [being back in the March camp], and the World Cup is also a dream for any young English kid, to play for England or represent England at a World Cup, and I'm no different. The manager makes the decisions and picks the team, so I'm well aware that all I can do is keep doing what I’m doing, scoring goals and whatever happens, happens.”
While current Leeds star Calvert-Lewin has missed out, a former Elland Road loanee will be involved in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Djed Spence has enjoyed an uptick in fortunes since returning to parent club Tottenham and subsequently been picked as part of Tuchel’s squad.
No Dominic Calvert-Lewin but Leeds United loan flop included
Spence joined Leeds on loan in the summer of 2023, with his arrival for a £1million loan fee seen as hugely promising. But the full-back struggled to make an impact and was sent back to North London early once the January transfer window opened, with seven appearances to his name under Daniel Farke.
So far, three of Calvert-Lewin’s Leeds teammates have earned World Cup call-ups. Gabriel Gudmundsson will be representing Sweden, Ao Tanaka is going with Japan and Noah Okafor heads across the Atlantic with Switzerland. Anton Stach missed out on a Germany call-up.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City)
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Man City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Man City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O’Reilly (Man City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Dan Burn (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)