Summary

  • Build-up to England v Latvia at Wembley (19:45 GMT) as Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his second game in World Cup qualifying

  • Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has been left out of the squad after being an unused substitute in Friday's 2-0 win against Albania

  • Uefa rules state that a 23-man matchday squad has to be selected, meaning Tuchel has to trim down his initial 26-man squad

  • Anthony Gordon has withdrawn through injury while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been left out again; Morgan Gibbs-White and Jarell Quansah return after missing Friday's match - full squad here

  • Who do you want to see picked against Latvia? Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Foden and Rashford know what is expected - Tuchel

Live Reporting

Craig Nelson, George Booth, Joe Rindl & Tyrese King. Edited by Murray Burnell.

  1. Thanks Anders.

    It's Joe back in charge again by the way. Did anybody mention Liam Delap while I was gone?

  2. Get Involved

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    Kobbie MainooGetty Images

    I'll be interested to see what happens to Kobbie Mainoo when he's back fit. Similar to Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal, Mainoo was thrust into the first-team squad at Manchester United and played a lot more games than was probably anticipated. He was arguably one of England's better players at the Euros, which resulted in him starting the final. This season, even before the injuries, he looked tired and already under pressure to perform. I've quite liked what Tuchel has done. He could have easily picked Nwaneri, Delap, Wharton, Anderson and Lewis in this squad but kept them with the U21s. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he protects Lewis-Skelly tonight in a game in which, quite frankly, we could play without a left-back and still should win.

    Anders

  3. 'His feet used to hang out the bed'

    England v Latvia (Monday, 19:45 GMT)

    Rihards Matrevics gesturesGetty Images

    On a lighter note, Declan Rice has spoken fondly of his time living with Latvian goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics when they played together at West Ham.

    Matrevics, 26, joined the Hammers in 2015 on a youth scholarship. However, he left the east London club for Barnet in 2018 without making a single appearance for the senior team.

    Rice told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He's like 7ft 00in! His feet used to hang out the bed, that's how tall he is!"

    Matrevics now plays his football for Latvian side Auda FC, but he didn't feature in Latvia's 1-0 win against Andorra last week.

  4. Get Involved

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    Just because Ben White wants to be back doesn't mean he should be picked. So he didn't get on with Southgate or one of his coaching team. So what? Playing for your country is an honour, not something you pick and choose. He quit, and that's that.

    Rob

    I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what all this chat around Ben White is. Yeah sure, if he was a world-class right-back who would greatly improve the team, but I don't even think he's top three in right-back options currently.

    Rob (not the same Rob as before)

    Ben WhiteGetty Images

  5. Tuchel and his three England squads

    We say movement because Thomas Tuchel has effectively named three squads in those 10 days: an initial 26, a 23 to face Albania and a 23 for tonight's Latvia game:

    • Chelsea forward Cole Palmer was injured in training before the England camp even began and was replaced in the original 26 by Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White
    • Gibbs-White, Jarell Quansah and Aaron Ramsdale were left out of the 23 to face Albania
    • Newcastle players Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are ruled out of the Latvia game, so Gibbs-White and Quansah return to the fold
    • Southampton stopper Ramsdale is the only player from the original 26 not to be included in a matchday squad.

  6. England's 23 to face Latvia

    England v Latvia (Monday, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    There has been quite a bit of movement since Thomas Tuchel named his first England squad 10 days ago, so here is a reminder of his final 23 for tonight's game against Latvia:

    Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Burnley)

    Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City)

    Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

    Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)

  7. Get Involved

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    I would really like to see what Jarrod Bowen can do over at least a full half. His adaptability and energy has been invaluable to West Ham, only limited by quality of service from their midfield. In the England set-up he has that classic British-style hustle to win loose balls and deliver effective passes into the danger areas.

    James, St Albans

    Jarrod Bowen trains with EnglandGetty Images

  8. 'The main focus is taking care of the players'

    England v Latvia (Monday, 19:45 GMT)

    Although Thomas Tuchel is reported to have slated Mikel Arteta's decision to include Declan Rice in the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League tie against PSV, the England manager did say he wants to see all his England players be available for the Champions League quarter-finals in 15 days' time.

    “I don’t want the player to be injured, I want the players to play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League – all of them – because I want to watch it, I want to see it," Tuchel is reported in the Mirror.

    "So this is where it is and in the end we take care of ourselves and the clubs take care about themselves and the main focus is taking care of the players.”

  9. Tuchel on resting players & sending the wrong signal

    England v Latvia (Monday, 19:45 GMT)

    Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, and Anthony Barry, Assistant Head Coach of England, talkGetty Images

    The England manager's job has often been referred to as part coach, part diplomat - they often have to walk a tightrope, especially when dealing with club managers.

    How will Thomas Tuchel manage that side of the job? Well the Mirror is reporting that Tuchel made a less-than diplomatic comment with regards to managing his players' game time - saying "I didn’t have the feeling that they think so much about us".

    The German head coach referenced Mikel Arteta's decision to include Declan Rice in the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League round of 16 tie against PSV, when the Gunners had a big aggregate lead.

    “Given the fact Declan Rice played after a 7-1…a 7-1 first leg and Declan played the next match with Arsenal. I didn’t have the feeling that they think so much about us so I don’t think we have to break our heads about this," Tuchel is reported to have said.

    Rice played the full 90-minutes against PSV in the first leg, and was substituted off in the 64th-minute in the second leg at the Emirates.

    “I take care of the players," Tuchel added. "We take care about the schedule. But it would be the wrong signal to tell players now: ‘Hey you have tough club matches coming up so I rest you now'."

  10. Get Involved

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    The only Henderson being discussed prior to these two games was Jordan’s inclusion, but what about Dean? He’s arguably been better for his club than Pickford this season, I think he deserves a start in goal tonight?

    Paul, Shrewsbury

    Quite hard to unravel a sentence that includes Jordan Pickford, Jordan Henderson and Dean Henderson - three degrees of separation in this England team...

    Jordan Pickford and Dean HendersonGetty Images

  11. 'White wants to be back'

    England v Latvia (Monday, 19:45 GMT)

    Right, where were we? That's it - who should start for England against Latvia?

    Thomas Tuchel has been very open and honest on his team selection and he believes "everyone is a contender for the World Cup".

    There's only 444 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off and many Three Lions fans are wondering if Ben White will ever return to the international scene.

    White has not featured for England since March 2022 and has only picked up four England caps.

    The full-back was left out of Gareth Southgate's 2024 Euros campaign after he turned down an England call-up, with Southgate saying "he's not available to us".

    Tuchel said that "he [Ben White] wants to be back", which is a promising sign from the 27-year-old.

    However, White has been sidelined since November 2024 due to a knee injury.

    "I think it's a bit too early for him with the seriousness of the injury. Now, it is more a question of getting more rhythm," added Tuchel.

    Ben White of England runs with the ballGetty Images

  12. Saying that, if England fail to finish in the top two of Group K then the footballing world may fall off its axis. Stranger things have happened - not sure when, but I'm sure they have.

  13. Thanks Joe, enjoy your carbonara.

    I've just been brushing up on the process used for World Cup qualifying.

    It could very well have been written by someone in a fever dream, but I will try to explain it a bit later.

    One thing I can say is the fact that England, Wales and Northern Ireland finished top of their Nations League group is akin to having a get out of jail free card.

    It's a card they will get to play should either nation fail to finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.

    More on that in a moment.

  14. Thanks for getting us back on track Josh!

    The first rule of live-texting is to never post on an empty stomach. So I'm off to take my lunch break.

    Craig is back at the wheel.

  15. Get Involved - who should start for England?

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Bring Guehi back in. MLS has to start, and with Livramento out of the squad, it’d be good to see James get a shot at right back. In midfield, I think Jones should get another chance to lock down the third midfielder position. I love Rogers and Gibbs-White, but with Bellingham and Rice locked in the third midfielder has to be more than just an attacking threat, and Jones has the better all-round game. Up top Bowen should get a shot on the right, and with Gordon out give Rashford another chance on the left. Foden has never done it for England and we need to accept that he probably can’t play outside a Guardiola team.

    Josh, Bedford

  17. Cheers. I can always rely on you lot for terrible puns.

    That said, I think this new Get Involved theme is a bit harsh on Declan.

    Like that time we were still asking "If Tottenham were a pudding, what pudding would they be?" even after they'd come from behind to lead.

  18. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The Rice pun you’re looking for is "off the boil"

    Anon

  19. Can Kane join the 100 club?

    England v Latvia (Monday, 19:45 GMT)

    Harry Kane of England celebratesGetty Images

    With Declan Rice tipping Harry Kane to get 100 goals for England - only three other players have scored 100 goals or more at international level.

    Surprise, surprise, Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top of the chart for the all-time international goalscorer - 136 goals in 219 appearances.

    Second is Lionel Messi, who has 112 goals in 191 appearances.

    Third is Ali Daei who scored 108 goals in 148 appearances for Iran.

    Kane holds England's goalscoring record and the Englishman has scored 70 goals in 104 appearances.

    Only 30 more goals to go...

  20. Forgiven Anon.

    If I, Joe, had a penny for every time I published a typo on this page I'd have well over a million ponds.