Thomas Tuchel has been accused of making a mistake with Rio Ngumoha, with the England boss choosing not to take the 17-year-old talent to the World Cup this summer
09:32, 08 Jun 2026
Rio Ngumoha made his England debut against New Zealand
Rio Ngumoha made his England debut against New Zealand(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha cannot be added to England's roster for the World Cup despite impressing against New Zealand over the weekend when he made his senior debut.
Thomas Tuchel used the Liverpool talent on the right wing and he won the Player of the Match award for a 45-minute cameo in which the Three Lions didn't particularly impress. England won 1-0 thanks to a Harry Kane goal, with Ngumoha looking lively in the second half.
Because he was not named in the 55-man provisional squad, though, Ngumoha is not able to be added to the England team even if there is an injury in wide areas before the tournament starts.
On talkSPORT, a discussion led by Adrian Durham after the game claimed "Tuchel has missed a trick" by not playing Ngumoha.
He "is the best right winger England has got," it was suggested. Tuchel is "foolish" for making such a decision.
In reality, though, it is the right call.
As ever, when there is an exciting player coming through the ranks, there is a clamor for England players to be fast-tracked into contention for major tournaments.
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 06: England Ngumoha Rio (31) attacks with the ball as New Zealand midfielder Ben Old (19) defends in the second half during the friendly soccer match between England and New Zealand on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha impressed as he made his England debut against New Zealand(Image: Getty Images)
But taking Ngumoha to the Unied States would put unnecessary pressure on his body after a season in which Arne Slot was very careful with how he used the winger.
Ngumoha made 29 senior appearances in total, but Liverpool was cautious in a move designed to continue his development without causing problems physically down the line.
In recent years, the likes of Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns have had long-term issues in part as a result of being overplayed. Ngumoha needs to be used sustainably, as tempting as it might be to throw him into the action.
"He was quality; nothing fazed him," Jordan Pickford said of Ngumoha's performance in Florida at the weekend.
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"He’s had a really good season at Liverpool and the manager gave him his debut and he showed how good he is.
"All the young lads have been brilliant in training; they have molded into the squad and helped us massively, and it also shows the talent we have in the system. It is a credit to the academies and the pathway we have in English football."
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Liverpool.com says: Ngumoha is hugely talented but this is a classic case of short-term thinking. Liverpool has to be careful with him, because this is about the next years, not the next 10 games.