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    Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad CONFIRMED as Jordan Henderson returns and uncapped stars Burn and Lewis-Skelly in

    THOMAS TUCHEL has named his first England squad – with returns for Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson.The German’s reign and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup kicks off on March 21 against Albania before a clash against Latvia three days later.Thomas Tuchel has named his first squad as England bossCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford has been chosen for the first time in a yearCredit: GettyJordan Henderson has earned a surprise recallCredit: GettyTuchel has revealed his squad for the Wembley Stadium double-header and there are several surprise inclusions.Rashford has earned an England recall after a year out following his loan move from Manchester United to Aston Villa.He has not scored for his new side but has started four games since his January switch.Tuchel has also made a bold move in bringing 34-year-old Jordan Henderson back into the fold.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe former Liverpool captain, now with Dutch side Ajax, has not played for England since November 2023.Uncapped Arsenal 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly has earned his first call-up.The wonderkid, who can play at left-back and in midfield, makes the jump from the Under-19s to the Three Lions senior squad just 13 games into his Premier League career.Tuchel could also hand debuts to shock inclusions Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah against Albania or Latvia.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsNewcastle’s 32-year-old defender was watched in person by the new boss as the Toon beat West Ham 1-0 on Monday night.As for the Liverpool centre-back, he was chosen in the Euro 2024 provisional squad but got axed when it was cut down ahead of the tournament without making an appearance.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett reacts to World Cup 2026 qualifying draw as Thomas Tuchel’s England are placed in group full of controversyReece James, who won the Champions League under Tuchel at Chelsea, is back on the international stage after two years away.Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, on loan at AC Milan, keeps his place along with Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen.SunSport understands that Ollie Watkins is resting his knee and Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke has been chosen as back-up to Harry Kane.Tuchel has been unable to call upon Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Lewis Hall due to fitness doubts and injuries.But the new boss has snubbed Jack Grealish, who has played just 34 minutes in City’s last 11 Prem games.  Tuchel officially took over as manager on January 1 and reportedly contacted 55 players before revealing his squad today. The ex-Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich boss has penned an 18-month contract with the FA and has been tasked with bringing home the World Cup in 2026.Tuchel steps in after Lee Carsley, who took over from Gareth Southgate, saw his interim role come to an end.Carsley guided England to five victories in six games as the Three Lions earned promotion back to the top section of the Nations League by winning League B Group 2.It was a much-needed return to form after mixed performances at Euro 2024 that ended in final heartbreak against Spain.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe match was Southgate’s last in the job, quitting after eight years at the helm.While Southgate was in charge, England finished runner-up at two Euros, as well as making a semi-final and quarter-final in his two World Cup campaigns.Myles Lewis-Skelly has been chosen for the first timeCredit: GettyDan Burn is selected after being watched in person by Tuchel on MondayCredit: GettyLiverpool’s Jarell Quansah is looking to make his debut this time aroundCredit: Reuters More

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    Major change to World Cup final confirmed by Fifa with UK band with TEN No1 albums to perform glitzy half-time show

    NEXT year’s World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style half-time show.The tournament is set to take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada and will include a new expanded 48-team format.Gianni Infantino has informed sponsors of a major changeCredit: PAThe World Cup final is set to take place in East Rutherford, New JerseyCredit: GettyThe final will kick off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026.Per Sky News’ Rob Harris, “multiple artists” will perform at half-time.He adds that Fifa president Gianni Infantino has informed sponsors of the decision.Fifa are working with Coldplay on the half-time show, with the British band set to also incorporate other artists into the act.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis will be the first time that a World Cup final has included a half-time show.The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar saw six artists perform before the final between Argentina and France.Their performances were incorporated into the tournament’s closing ceremony.In recent years, the Champions League final has often featured a pre-match musical performance.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSColdplay are set to be involved in the half-time showCredit: GettyLenny Kravitz performed three songs ahead of last year’s Wembley final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.While other recent finals have included Camila Cabello, Burna Boy and Dua Lipa.Coldplay perform Scottish football anthem The recent Super Bowl in New Orleans featured a half-time show with Kendrick Lamar and SZA.It achieved an average audience of 133.5 million – surpassing Michael Jackson’s record set in 1993 and making it the most watched Super Bowl half-time show ever.Kendrick Lamar and SZA produced a record-breaking performance in New OrleansCredit: GettyDua Lipa performs ahead of the 2018 final in KyivCredit: Getty Images – GettyCamila Cabello performed ahead of the 2022 Champions League finalCredit: Getty More

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    Newcastle star Jacob Murphy, 29, approached over shock switch of international allegiance from England

    JACOB MURPHY has reportedly been approached about switching his international allegiance.The 29-year-old winger is enjoying an impressive season for Newcastle in the Premier League. Jacob Murphy has enjoyed a strong season at St James ParkCredit: GettyThe Toon winger has already registered 9 assists this seasonCredit: GettyMurphy has scored five times for the Toon so far in 2024/25.He also leads the club’s assists charts with nine, already a career-high tally with three months of the season to go. There have been suggestions England manager Thomas Tuchel should call up Murphy for his first Three Lions squad.Murphy played for England across four youth age groups, with his last involvement in the under-21 Euros in 2017. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut, according to reports in Nigeria, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has “made contact” in a bid to get Murphy to switch allegiance.The former Norwich star qualifies to play for Nigeria through his father. Nigeria have endured a tough start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles had been expected to cruise through a group that features South Africa, Rwanda, Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut three draws and a defeat from their opening 4 games have made things tough for the African country, who have reached six of the last seven World Cups.As well as Nigeria, Murphy is eligible to represent Ireland through his mother.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett reacts to World Cup 2026 qualifying draw as Thomas Tuchel’s England are placed in group full of controversyMurphy has proved to be an unsung hero this season at St James Park.Newcastle are chasing the European places, with striker Alexander Isak stealing the plaudits thanks to a remarkable run of form.Boss Eddie Howe has come out to praise Murphy – and claims Isak’s heroics are in part down to the winger.Howe said: “He’s been very, very important and probably more than people realise.Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle reportedly wants to tempt Murphy to switch international allegianceCredit: AFP”We ask a lot of Jacob in lots of different ways, he plays an important role.”Of course, everyone plays an important role in our pressing with the ball.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He’s been brilliant and the assists and the goals that he’s got in the last few weeks.”Isak probably owes him the majority of his goals with his crossing ability which has always been very strong.” More

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    ‘Crying with laughter.. might be worst answer ever’ – Fans baffled at totally wrong guess to Pointless football question

    FOOTBALL fans have been left “crying in laughter” after a totally wrong guess on Pointless.The BBC show hosted by Alexander Armstong gets contestants to give the most obscure answers possible to win.Fans were left baffled at a contestant’s answer to this questionCredit: BBCLyn was not correct in saying Charlton AthleticCredit: BBCOn a recent episode, one contestant, Lyn, left viewers baffled with his answer.When asked to name a national team to have appeared at multiple Fifa Men’s World Cups.Acceptable answers would have included England (19 times), Germany (20 times), Brazil (22 times) or even Wales (2 times).However, Lyn decided to take a different approach that left fans scratching their heads.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe guessed at “Charlton Athletic”.The answer was of course incorrect as was signaled on the show.This lead to fans flocking to social media to discuss the totally wrong guess.One posted: “Legend haha, that has to be one of the worst guesses ever.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA second joked: “We won the World Cup… I know you won’t believe us… … the reds are goin’ uuuuup!”A third wrote: “Not many people know we’ve been to the World Cup…”AC Milan manager walks out of Champions League press conference after just one question Charlton currently play in League One and have never featured in the World CupCredit: GettyA fourth commented: “Ahhhh yeah those good old days of cheering my team on in the World Cup.”A fifth said: “Poor Lyn has had a mare. Charlton Athletic in the World Cup!! D’oh.”Another added: “Chap on Pointless answers Charlton Athletic for countries that have appeared in the FIFA World Cup haha.” More