England coach Brian Mc Dermott has unveiled a 38‑man performance squad for the upcoming World Cup, blending fresh talent with a veteran return. Jake Connor, 31, re‑enters after a seven‑year absence and a controversial omission from Shaun Wane’s Ashes squad. Connor’s comeback signals a shift in squad strategy ahead of the October‑November tournament for the national team in the future.

Mc Dermott’s selection spotlighted ten uncapped players, including Wakefield Trinity’s Jake Trueman, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele, Wigan’s Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR’s Dean Hadley, and St Helens centre Harry Robertson. The coach emphasized a broad scouting net across Super League and the NRL, hinting at a deep pool that could shape England’s campaign in the 2026 World Cup for fans.

England’s World Cup record remains unclaimed, last falling to Samoa in the 2022 semi‑finals. Connor’s return and the influx of young talent aim to reverse that narrative, offering fresh firepower for the trio of host nations. The squad’s composition now sets the stage for England’s quest to finally lift the trophy in the upcoming tournament and in the global arena.