“The omissions of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden will leave many supporters baffled. Yet Tuchel has never been interested in popularity contests or picking players on reputation alone”
Thomas Tuchel has made the sort of bold World Cup call England managers are remembered for – one way or another.
The German has openly admitted this is not simply the 26 most talented footballers available, but the squad he believes can win the tournament together. That honesty is refreshing, even if some of the decisions are astonishing to fans.
The omissions of Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden will leave many supporters baffled. Yet Tuchel has never been interested in popularity contests or picking players on reputation alone.
He wants specialists, leaders, and footballers capable of handling pressure in every scenario, from set pieces to penalty shootouts. After years of Gareth Southgate’s caution, England have a manager willing to roll the dice. History suggests it should not be automatically feared.
Sir Alf Ramsey also stunned the country with huge omissions before the 1966 World Cup – then delivered England’s greatest sporting triumph.
We owe them
The Iraq war did not end for many families when British troops came home. For widows and widowers, children and veterans living with trauma, the pain still echoes through everyday life.
The heartbreaking stories shared at Iraq 15 are a reminder that the cost of conflict stretches far beyond the battlefield. Britain owes these families more than remembrance ceremonies once a year. They deserve lifelong support, proper mental health care and the certainty they will never face these battles alone.
The courage shown by families like Anna-Marie MacDonald’s and Liz Chapman’s is extraordinary. So too is the honesty of veterans brave enough to speak openly about suicidal thoughts and trauma.
Remembering the fallen must also mean caring properly for the living.
Traveller’s rest
Before influencers, travel blogs and bargain flights, there was Judith Chalmers – the glamorous, trusted face who brought the world into Britain’s living rooms.
Week after week, she inspired millions to dream bigger, travel further and embrace adventure. Warm, pioneering and endlessly professional, Judith represented television at its very best.
