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England manager Thomas Tuchel unveiled the 26-man England squad that will travel to the FIFA World Cup this summer on Friday.

The German coach faced a range of questions from the media about his selection choices, leadership group, the inclusion of additional players in the training camp, and what it would take for England to win the tournament.

Here’s the complete account of his press conference.

“From the very beginning, our aim was clear — to build the best possible team, not necessarily the 26 most gifted individuals. Teams win championships, and what we’re trying to accomplish can only be achieved collectively.

“We have nine defenders for four positions, seven midfielders for three roles, and seven forwards for three attacking spots.

“Our players are ready and fully committed to the idea of team spirit and selflessness.

“We have six players who have previously won titles with the U21s, including Kobbie (Mainoo), who is still very young and a proven winner, and Nico (O’Reilly), who has already earned medals at such a young age.

“We have players who specialise in different match situations — whether we’re leading or chasing a result. We also have set-piece experts and world-class penalty takers to strengthen those areas.

“Most of this squad comes from the group that was with us in September, October, and November.

“I want to express my gratitude to all the players who helped us qualify. I tried to show my appreciation by personally calling each one of them. Every player who had been involved with us at least once received a call, even if it was to deliver disappointing news.”

“It was a bit of a surprise for us too! But when we evaluated all scenarios, he came back into consideration. I received outstanding feedback from his club coach, who was once my player — Matthias Jaissle at Stuttgart’s youth setup.

“We noticed that he continues to produce impressive numbers. His qualities could be crucial when we need a goal — he can complement (Harry) Kane, provide a presence in the box, divert defenders’ attention, finish naturally, contribute in set-pieces, and he’s among the best penalty takers worldwide.”

“I’m very confident in this group. The decisions were tough and the conversations painful. It’s never easy to explain such choices to players. But our ambitions can only be realised as a unified team.

“With such a competitive pool, it’s inevitable that some exceptional players and personalities had to be left out.

“I appreciate these decisions, even though they took weeks and months — they bring clarity and the competitive edge needed.

“In some cases, it simply came down to the number of players in a given position. We wanted each player to have a clear role.”

“I was somewhat surprised, though I have deep respect for his personality and ability. I understand his disappointment and his reasons.

“Still, I was taken aback because we had a private discussion where he could express his thoughts openly.

“We decided to stand by our central defenders who carried us through the autumn months. Some are key leaders who set the benchmark in the squad.”

“After our March and June camps, it was quite clear who should make the cut.

“I see no benefit in disclosing names, but it’s a group of five or six players who have been extremely influential and have shown great leadership.”

“We’ll take a few young players to train with us and maintain the right squad size.

“Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha, and Josh King will join, along with one more player yet to be confirmed.

“I’m particularly pleased for Alex, who was part of the 55-man shortlist but received a tough call when he missed the first cut. His response was exemplary — his eagerness to join the pre-camp and stay close to the team was never in question.

“I’m glad he’s coming because it was a very close decision, and now he gets the opportunity for his first senior camp.”

“I recently heard Rafael Nadal say, ‘I’m not a winner, I’m a competitor.’ That’s exactly how I approach this tournament in the US.

“It’s about building brotherhood and energy, and transmitting that to our supporters. Once that connection clicks, anything becomes possible.

“We’re going there to win, but you can’t eat the whole cake at once — we’ll take it one piece at a time.”

“We have two strong candidates for the same position, but they can also play together. Competing for the same spot doesn’t make them rivals — they can be allies. They’re good friends anyway.

“Bukayo (Saka) and Noni (Madueke) both fight for the same role at their club. Competition between them only elevates performance.

“I’m certain both will play key roles for us.”

“I have immense faith in John. He’s a world-class player, a great personality, and a proven champion.

“He understands tactical dynamics on the pitch and still performs at an elite level. We thoroughly reviewed his training data since he didn’t play much in the latter part of the season.

“Fortunately, our late start in the tournament allows him to play two friendlies first. I’m confident he’ll deliver a strong campaign.”

“Jarrod was fantastic in every camp he attended, then had to face the disappointment of missing the squad.

“It’s part of football — some benefit from club circumstances, others don’t. But Jarrod’s reaction showed his outstanding character.

“As for Noni, I believe he can be a true game-changer with his ability to break down defences and win one-on-one battles.”

“He performed excellently in all our matches. Unfortunately, he’s been affected by managerial changes at his club and reduced playing time at Tottenham.

“He enjoys defending, is the fastest player in our team, and relishes one-on-one duels. That makes him a unique full-back who can operate on both flanks.

“Before the March camp, we told him, despite limited minutes at Spurs, he’d need to prove himself again — and he did, along with Djed and Tino, especially against Uruguay. That earned my trust.”

“We’ll need a bit of luck, the right squad balance, good health, momentum, unity, hunger, and bravery. We must seize key moments.

“Once we reach the knockout rounds, every detail matters. We’ll need nerves of steel.

“Not everything is in our control, but it’s important we’ve set our goal clearly. We did that early on and immediately focused on what we can influence.”

“This league proves it’s the most competitive in the world, but it also means our players arrive fatigued after long seasons. That’s the reality.

“Travelling across three countries and adapting to different climates won’t be easy, but we’ve received support from Team GB — and there’ll be no excuses.

“It’s all about managing workload in the pre-camp, maintaining the right mindset, and not peaking too early.”

“His influence has been immense in every league he’s worked in.

“He’s truly one of a kind — among the very best. He revolutionised Barcelona’s style, transformed the Bundesliga, and continues to dominate here.

“He’s simply at the highest level.”