Three Lions stars ditch suits for traditional World Cup team photo as Thomas Tuchel and his players opt for a £205 Marks and Spencer look instead
England have released their pre-World Cup squad photo as they aim to end 60 years of hurt in North America - and it could hold a big suggestion of who Thomas Tuchel considers his Three Lions leaders to be.Long gone are the days of suits and ties as Tuchel's boys opt for t-shirts with a pair of trousers topped by a mixture of blazers, jackets and overshirts.The garments are produced by Marks and Spencer, who have been the official tailor of the England national team since 2007. Although that title has slightly shifted as society embraces increasingly casual fits, with M&S now the FA's official formalwear partner.And Tuchel appears to have surrounded himself with his England leadership group in the photo. 'Everything I know and hear about international football is that it is about the team and the chemistry,' the England boss said recently.For the photo he is flanked by captain Harry Kane and vice-captain Declan Rice. Bukayo Saka is also on the shoulder of Tuchel, while John Stones and Jude Bellingham also surround the manager. Chelsea skipper Reece James is sat nearby. Featuring 12 pieces, the M&S x England edit is available online now and in selected stores across the UK. England vice-captain Declan Rice looks chic in navy Harrington jacket and polo shirtJordan Henderson is towards the back of the photo but is not as central to the leadership as he once was when he would be in England's starting XI. 'It is important each player knows their role and we picked a very balanced squad,' Tuchel said. 'The connection has to be there and you can feel if the energy and chemistry is right.'Bellingham has been reflecting on England's last tournament on the FA's Lion's Den show. Despite reaching the final of Euro 2024, losing against Spain in extra-time, Bellingham felt the squad lacked unity.'At the Euros we got some things a little bit wrong off the pitch,' Bellingham said. 'I don't think the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons, with the people there. Expectation is part of it – we had done well in 2018, Qatar and the Euros both times.'When it came to that tournament [2024 European Championship], we were seen as one of the two or three teams that should win it. We weren't playing particularly, well which doesn't help. When we were winning you didn't get the feeling we were as happy as we should be.'There has to be that element of relentlessness where you want to win, but in football when you win that goes out of the system very quickly and I think we should have held on to that feeling more. So everyone has to be ready.'Everyone has to feel loved, everyone has to feel they are playing a part in the team. And just to enjoy the sessions, games and when we are suffering in games when your backs are against the wall.' The England squad assemble in fresh fits - kitted out by Marks and SpencerFeaturing 12 pieces, the M&S x England edit is available online now and in selected stores across the UK.The range starts at £35 for a cotton t-shirt, while the blazer is the most expensive item – coming in at £129. There are also loafers, in black and brown, to complete the head to toe range. M&S say the edit is 'a modern, modular wardrobe designed for life off the pitch. Defined by elevated, tailored style, the collection blends signature British design with purpose-built functionality, created for the global stage. Built for movement, presence and impact, the wardrobe is designed for life on the move, reinforcing that style and function transcend the game'.Mitch Hughes, director of menswear at M&S said: 'Our long-standing partnership with The FA continues to evolve, and this collection starts a new chapter in our approach to modern formalwear for the England Senior Men's team. Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson experiment with styling'Designed as a refined 12-piece edit, it balances elevated tailoring with versatile staples that move seamlessly beyond the pitch. Ease and functionality remain central, with technical details including bi-stretch fabrication for comfort - great for travelling! - alongside breathable and storm wear finishes, suited to unpredictable weather conditions.'This season the focus has been on creating a flexible wardrobe that gives players the freedom to express their individual style while still delivering a strong, cohesive look.'The FA's commercial director James Gray added: 'Our partnership with M&S, established in 2007, continues to reflect a shared commitment to football and to England supporters.'This next phase builds on that long-standing relationship and supports how the Men's England Team is represented on the global stage. The collection has been developed with the squad in mind, and we expect it to be positively received by both players and supporters.'England will don their new garments when they arrive for their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
