Ivan Toney, John Stones and Jordan Henderson will all be heading to the World Cup this summer after Thomas Tuchel confirmed his squad on Friday, with the 26-man list leaving out the likes Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire is another notable absentee, and he vented his frustration at the decision on Thursday. Luke Shaw, Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White have also been overlooked as Sir Gareth Southgate's successor made an eye-catching first tournament selection.
Ollie Watkins and, most surprisingly, Toney have earned recalls and join captain Harry Kane as three striker options, the same as England had at Euro 2024. Watkins missed an England squad earlier this year -- scoring 10 times for Aston Villa since that snub -- while Toney has been rewarded for his goalscoring form in the Saudi Pro League, despite having played just seven minutes under Tuchel.
Djed Spence, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze will also be on the plane, but it is England's World Cup absentees and the leaks on the eve of Friday's announcement that provide the biggest talking points.
Furious Maguire took to social media to say he was "shocked and gutted" to miss out on a squad Tuchel told players about on Thursday.
Foden and Palmer were the most high-profile absentees but have had below-par club campaigns with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, plus face tough competition in their area of the field.
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Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold was another bold omission, albeit a more predictable one having not won a cap since last summer.
Tino Livramento has been selected despite missing the past month with a thigh issue, while Kobbie Mainoo joins the likes of Brentford's Henderson as central midfield options, with Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton overlooked.
England are in Group L, where they will play Croatia, Ghana and Panama, at the World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
"A lot of phone calls over the last three days. A lot of difficult decisions," England manager Thomas Tuchel said about his selection.
"I'm feeling between relief and excited and ready to go.
"Once the decisions are made it gives you clarity and I can't wait to be in the plane.
"I love the tough decisions because they bring in the end clarity, a certain edge."
Tuchel added: "Who do we really trust? Who delivered for us? Who created a culture, especially from September onwards? Who set the standards? Who were the drivers? Who was the leadership group? And we then heavily relied on that because I think the connection has to be there."
England 2026 World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Tino Livramento
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Information from PA was used in this report.