Well, if all that insight from Phil McNulty and Thomas Tuchel's squad announcement hasn't whet your World Cup whistle, nothing will.

Here are some of the top lines from Tuchel's news conference earlier:

• Tuchel defended his decision to select Ivan Toney in his 26-man squad, saying the former Brentford striker has "very special skills that could help us"
• He said he doesn't fear leaving world class talents at home such as Phil Foden and Cole Palmer because he is "very confident in the group" chosen, however, he did concede he and his staff have had to leave "some extraordinary talents" out of the squad
• The England boss said the statement released by Harry Maguire on Thursday evening took him by surprise but understands the Manchester United defender's disappointment
• Tuchel confirmed that Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, Fulham midfielder Josh King plus one other unconfirmed player will all travel to Florida to be part of the camp for the pre-tournament friendlies
• He emphasised how "sure" he is that the and his staff have picked the right 26-man squad before later adding he has "no doubt we chose the right players"
• Tuchel defended his inclusion of both Manchester City defender John Stones and Tottenham full-back Djed Spence, stating Stones is "still on the highest level" and that he "can trust Spence"
• Finally, the England boss sent an emphatic message that the goal going into the World Cup in America is to "win it and not be shy about it"

Image source, Getty Images

England

Before we leave you for the day, a word from England captain Harry Kane, who posted on Instagram this morning after Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad was revealed: "Hi everyone, just want to say I'm extremely proud to be going to another World Cup. I never take these moments for granted, these are all the things I dreamed of growing up, so to be able to represent my country for a third time at a World Cup is going to be really, really special.

"I can't wait to be there with the boys and hopefully have an amazing experience. I just want to say thanks for all the messages, all the support as always. Can't wait to see you all in the summer."

Image source, Getty Images

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender

I think it’s interesting because Nico O’Reilly is a midfielder but I think he can play left-back very well. Defensively we have seen him for the most part go up against some very tough players and manage it very well but that’s playing for Man City where for the majority they are the protagonist. For England, and international football it’s different.

I’m delighted for him to be honest, this academy kid who has come through Man City, been so important for them and potentially their player of the year, and I think Tuchel sees and trusts his versatility.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

John: How the hell does Lewis Hall not make that squad?

Phil: Hi, John. Simple. Thomas Tuchel believes he has better options. I would certainly pick him ahead of his Newcastle United team-mate Dan Burn. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Luke Shaw could say the same.

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson has been a mainstay under Thomas Tuchel and keeps his place for the World Cup.

It means Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton is among the long list of players who have missed out.

Who would you rather have in your squad? Hit thumbs up if you would keep Henderson. Thumbs down to take Wharton instead.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender

I think Adam Wharton feels a lot different to those other midfielders, but that is a good thing or a bad thing. Tuchel probably doesn’t want to feel something like that. I think his skill set in terms of how he breaks up the game, and plays so many progressive passes, makes so many chances for the team. He can make England one of the best transitional teams you could imagine, but does that suit the players that you have and work alongside that midfield.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Chris: What is this fascination with Jordan Henderson all about?

Phil: Hi, Chris. I would not have picked Jordan Henderson but Thomas Tuchel regards him as a huge influence within his squad, which is important at a tournament. I can’t see him getting many minutes, but this is not Tuchel’s prime consideration.

I would have used his place to draft in Wharton or Gibbs-White.

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

The Saudi League is something I cover weekly. I was actually at the game last night when Ronaldo’s team finally lifted the league trophy after three years.

Ivan Toney has been excellent since moving there [Al-Ahli]. His team finished third this season and were title contenders at one stage.

They’ve also won the Asian Champions League again.

He scored 32 goals this season and was the leading scorer until the final day. He’s been their talisman.

And penalty-taking is a huge issue for England. Major tournaments often come down to penalties. He’s reliable, he’s a natural finisher, and he offers something different from the other strikers.

I really like that selection.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

William: Ivan Toney plays in a league that is well below Premier League standard, how on earth does he get ahead of Gibbs-White?

Phil: I was shocked by Ivan Toney’s selection as he has not been near an England squad for a year, when he was only used as a substitute for two minutes when they lost to Senegal in a friendly.

I think this is the consequence of Tuchel’s search for an understudy to Harry Kane, with alternatives thin on the ground, but he seems to have picked two in Toney and Ollie Watkins.

I would have picked Watkins and then thought about someone like Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton on maybe Alex Scott from Bournemouth.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Pete: Do you think Morgan Gibbs White would have been selected if he had the same stats but had played for (say) Arsenal and not Nottingham Forest ?

Phil: Hi Pete. I’m not sure Thomas Tuchel thinks like that because he absolutely does not operate a star system or play favourites. Where it might have made a difference would have been the ability to see Morgan Gibbs-White playing at elite level in the Champions League.

I am not particularly fussed by Phil Foden and Cole Palmer being left out, but once you do that, I would have been very tempted to pick Gibbs-White. I also feel Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Alex Scott from Bournemouth would also have been in my thinking.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United's Tino Livramento or Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Livramento will travel with the England squad for the World Cup while TAA misses out.

You know the drill - thumbs up if you agree or thumbs down if you don't.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Johnny: Left-backs look an issue to me. Spence and O’Reilly up against a Spain or a France would be a concern. I’ve still got Spain as my pick.

Phil: Wouldn’t argue with your pick, Johnny. I agree left-back is a bit of a conundrum for England but I imagine Tuchel will go with Nico O’Reilly. Inexperienced at this level but very, very talented defensively and also a goal threat.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender

I think personally with for how good Djed Spence is, I don’t think England win a World Cup with him starting. But I think in certain scenarios where England could face I think he could absolutely make a difference. It’s about the squad, and you’ll have a starting eleven, five or six players who will be used as subs and then a bunch of players who will be essentially training for six weeks.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

James: What does Djed Spence bring that Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn't? A player battling relegation versus someone playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Phil: My honest answer, James? Nothing.

I have long been resigned to the fact Thomas Tuchel would not pick Alexander-Arnold so, in general terms, this was not a shock.

Tuchel has his reasons, but I struggle to see any way in which Djed Spence is a better player than Trent Alexander-Arnold, other than he can fill in at right back and left back, which Tino Livramento can also do.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Stuart: Is the key assumption behind Tuchel’s squad that England do not need more star talent, but a tighter tactical structure and players more willing to fit specific roles within it?

Phil: Afternoon, Stuart. This certainly seems the core message from Thomas Tuchel, as he said: “My job is not necessarily to select the 26 most talented players.”

The focus really was on a team, good characters and selecting players to cover all tactical eventualities that might crop up.

Definitely felt like this was what he was striving for.

To be fair to England manager Thomas Tuchel, he stood up to every question in his news conference and attempted to explain every selection with clarity and commitment.

"Teams win championships, it's as simple as that," he said, explaining that every player selected knows their role and buys into it 100%.

Click on the play icon below to listen to his explanation in full...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Chris: Hi Phil. Ivan Toney, Jordan Henderson, Djed Spence and John Stones not Danny Wellbeck, Adam Wharton, Lewis Hall and Harry Maguire, let alone no Cole Palmer. Very strange choices I think. What’s your view please?

Phil: Hello, Chris. You’ve almost asked me to run through the squad there so I’ll pick a couple out that I have a particular view on.

I have no problem with John Stones being picked if – if – he is fully fit and Thomas Tuchel seems convinced.

Ivan Toney is a real left-field one, especially given he has not been near an England squad since only being used for two minutes as a substitute a year ago.

I must admit, I don't get that one at all.

I would have picked Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as I think he possesses real quality and I actually do not have a huge problem with Cole Palmer being left out because he has not had a good season, although if you’re leaving him out, I would bring Morgan Gibbs-White in.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Alan: Who do you think is the unluckiest player to miss out on selection?

Phil: Tough question to answer, Alan, as plenty will feel unlucky.

In my opinion, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, a class act whose passing could have made a real difference.

I can tell you who I really feel sympathy for and that is Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United. Consummate professional, great squad man and fine tourist. I am a huge fan.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Jamal: Do you think Harry Maguire should be on the plane to US?

Phil: I was a little surprised he wasn’t Jamal, but this tells me Thomas Tuchel is totally convinced that John Stones is fit.

Not sure it was wise of him to publicly express his disappointment at his exclusion – followed by his mum – before the squad was even named.

Tuchel was also surprised and I wonder if that will impact his thinking should he need to call for reinforcements in central defence?