- 8 Newcastle players confirmed for World Cup
- Tuchel announces three in England squad
- Sven Botman yet to learn his fate
The World Cup is now just 20 days away, and the tournament is starting to take shape with managers picking their respective squads. With the England squad now announced, Newcastle United are confirmed to have eight players heading to the tournament.
As expected, Thomas Tuchel named a few Newcastle players in his squad, despite the shocking absence of Lewis Hall, adding three more names to the growing list of Magpies boarding a plane to America in June.
Some of the hopefuls who missed out include the likes of the injured Fabian Schär and Joelinton, alongside Hall, of course. But let’s take a look at all of those who were lucky enough to make the 26-man squad to represent their nation this summer.
Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon – England
As expected, England is the top nation in terms of numbers from the Newcastle side, with three names included in Tuchel’s squad.
Anthony Gordon is the man whose place was most certain. Tuchel has taken a liking to the winger’s attitude and work rate since he took over as manager.
Perhaps somewhat more surprisingly given his injury struggles and poor performances of late, Tino Livramento has made the squad. The right-back is versatile and can play on both sides, which is likely why he has been picked.
Livramento will likely be the backup to Reece James but could get some starts and minutes, as he has been a regular under Tuchel.
Dan Burn’s inclusion maybe wasn’t quite as much of a shock or wouldn’t have been if Lewis Hall had also made the squad. Burn will continue his fairytale late-career England journey in America following a rather up-and-down season.
The centre-back isn’t expected to be a starter and may well even be the 5th choice central defender of those picked.
Nick Woltemade & Malick Thiaw – Germany
It is no secret how much Julian Naglesmann admired Woltemade and what he brings. The German coach has spoken out against Newcastle’s misuse of him previously, so it is no surprise to see the forward included in the squad.
Woltemade will likely share the starting minutes with Premier League winner Kai Havertz but will play a big part if Germany are to go far in the tournament.
Malick Thiaw is also a well-travelled member of the Germany squad since his arrival in England. Thiaw has been solid for Newcastle this season, albeit trailing off slightly toward the back end of the campaign.
The centre-back is likely to watch most of the action from the bench this summer, with Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger the likely starting partnership.
Bruno Guimaraes – Brazil
There was almost no chance that Bruno Guimaraes would not be in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad. The Newcastle man has been exceptional this season in a poor side.
This isn’t the greatest cohort of Brazilian players we have ever seen, and Guimaraes will most likely be a starting midfielder throughout the World Cup and could contribute heavily should the South Americans go far.
Yoane Wissa – DR Congo
Despite his Newcastle United season never igniting into anything more than a few minutes here and there, it would have been rather perplexing if Yoane Wissa weren’t going to the World Cup with DR Congo.
The forward has struggled in every sense of the word for the Magpies this season. But he is, undeniably, one of DR Congo’s best players and will start every game possible this summer.
Anthony Elanga – Sweden
Elanga has barely played in the last month for Newcastle and has had a rather torrid season since signing last summer.
He is almost part of the furniture with the Swedish national team, though, and it isn’t a surprise to see him in Graham Potter’s squad.
Elanga’s place will likely be a starting one, and he is often deployed off either wing for his country.
Sven Botman – Netherlands (TBC)
The only player remaining who is yet to learn his fate is Sven Botman, with Ronald Koeman announcing his squad on the 25th of May.
As of yet there is no reports or confirmation either way for Botman, but given he has had a spell of fitness and consistent starts for Eddie Howe, this could be the time he gets his call-up.
Botman missed the 2022 World Cup despite initially being included in the preliminary squad and will be hoping to avenge that this time around.
