Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson are widely reported to have been left out of England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024.
Manchester United forward Rashford and former Liverpool captain Henderson have been mainstays of the Southgate era and were influential as England reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Since then, Rashford’s form has collapsed at Manchester United to the extent that he has lost his starting spot in Erik ten Hag’s injury-hit squad.
Henderson made a controversial switch from Liverpool to Al Ettifaq last summer. He featured in England squads over the past season but his transfer to Ajax in January after an unhappy six months in the Saudi Pro League has not been enough to save his spot.
Increased depth of quality and competition in both central midfield and the wide attacking positions has seemingly left Henderson and Rashford with nowhere to turn.
MORE: Why Jordan Henderson left Saudi Arabia
Manchester United teenager Kobbie Mainoo impressed when collecting his first two senior caps in March. Uncapped Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton is tipped to be rewarded for his superb form since getting his Premier League move from Blackburn Rovers during the mid-season transfer window. Liverpool’s Curtis Jones is also likely to be rewarded after racking up 20 England Under-21 caps.
The emergence of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon this season has made Rashford’s absence easier to foresee, while Jarrod Bowen also enjoyed a prolific campaign at West Ham.
Southgate is not so flushed with options in defence, as evidenced by the expected presence of uncapped centre-backs Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarrell Quansah from either side of the Merseyside divide.
How many players are in Euro 2024 squads?
On May 3, 2024, UEFA’s executive committee confirmed national teams would be able to name 26 players in their Euro 2024 squads.
This was the number allowed due to the impact of COVID-19 upon Euro 2020, while the FIFA World Cup taking place in middle of the 2022/23 European season meant larger squads were also permitted.
UEFA intended to revert to a 23-man limit for Euro 2024 but the national competitions committee voting in favour of 26-man squads forced a rethink.
England preliminary Euro 2024 squad
Full preliminary squad to appear here in full when it is confirmed at 2 p.m. BST on Tuesday, May 21.
Can England replace players on Euro 2024 roster?
Teams must confirm their preliminary squads by May 21 and submit final squad lists to UEFA by June 7.
Replacements can be made on the grounds of illness or injury up until June 13, the day before the tournament starts.
Once Euro 2024 begins, teams must find solutions from within their 26-man squads.
MORE: Phil Foden: Kevin De Bruyne return shouldn’t stop England star being Guardiola’s midfield man
England Euro 2024 schedule, warmup games and matches
England will play home friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St. James’ and Iceland at Wembley before departing to their Euro 2024 base in Blankenhain.
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | Competition |
| June 3, 2024 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | St. James’ Park | Friendly |
| June 7, 2024 | Iceland | Wembley | Friendly |
| June 16, 2024 | Serbia | Veltins-Arena | Euro 2024 MD1 |
| June 20, 2024 | Denmark | Deutsche Bank Park | Euro 2024 MD2 |
| June 25, 2024 | Slovenia | RheinEnergieStadion | Euro 2024 MD3 |