David Beckham urges Thomas Tuchel to recall England star for the World Cup | Football

David Beckham appears to be at odds with England manager Thomas Tuchel over the fate of one England player ahead of the World Cup.

Tuchel is hoping to build on Sir Gareth Southgate’s promising but ultimately trophy-less reign by leading England to their first World Cup trophy since 1966 this summer.

Two March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan gave Tuchel one last chance to get a look at which players will make the plane and be selected in England’s World Cup squad.

Tuchel opted to name an expanded 35-man squad for the games against Uruguay and Japan, with two uncapped players in Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele getting the nod.

There were recalls for Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo and a first pick for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori since 2023.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was perhaps the most high-profile player to miss out, with Tuchel making the ‘tough decision’ to omit the Real Madrid star and ex-Liverpool defender.

‘I know what Trent can give us and I decided still to stick to the players with us,’ Tuchel said. ‘I know it’s difficult to leave out a player like Trent.

‘We spoke on the phone and I explained the situation. He must accept it. It’s a sporting decision.’

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said it was ‘incredible’ that Alexander-Arnold was left out of England’s squad and suggested there was ‘no way back’ for the talented 27-year-old.

Beckham also appears to disagree with Tuchel’s stance over Alexander-Arnold, insisting he would ‘find it very hard’ not to take him to the World Cup.

Asked about Tuchel’s decision to omit Alexander-Arnold, Beckham told talkSPORT: ‘That’s why I’m not England manager, because I don’t have to make those decisions!

‘But, I’m a massive fan of Trent, I love Trent as a player. I’ve heard so many times over the years when he was at Liverpool, when he’s at Madrid, when he’s playing for England, about, “Well, he’s not as good at defending as he is going forward”.

‘Well, sometimes you have to accept that… Roberto Carlos was an unbelievable defender, but he was also unbelievable going forward.

‘He’d always go forward, and then we’d have to cover him, so those kind of things you expect. But with Trent, would I take him? I’d find it very hard not to take someone like Trent.

‘But then Thomas, he’s come out and said, I think I read it this morning, that there are other players that are ahead of him at the moment. But he said “at the moment”, so that could change.

‘These friendlies might prove that other players are playing that might not get in the squad, so you don’t know.

‘This is very close to picking a final squad, but I still think that Thomas is probably still considering about Trent as well.’

England were held to a 1-1 draw by Uruguay on Friday night and will be looking for a better result – and performance – against Japan on Tuesday.

Tuchel’s side are in Group L for the World Cup and start their campaign against Croatia on June 17 before facing Ghana and Panama for a place in the knockout stages.

Ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel was only expected to be in charge of England until the end of the World Cup but signed a contract extension last month until after Euro 2028.

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