Manchester United's Tom Heaton will join England's Euro 2024 squad as a training goalkeeper.
Gareth Southgate picked Everton's Jordan Pickford, Arsenals Aaron Ramsdale, and Crystal Palaces Dean Henderson as the three goalkeepers in his traveling squad after Burnley James Trafford was left out from the final 26-man group.
However, Heaton, 38 will head out to Germany to aid the trio during this summer's tournament.
Southgate said: "I am really pleased Tom has agreed to join us in Germany. Experience tells us that a tournament can put a lot of demand on our goalkeeping group led by Martyn Margetson."
Tom will play an invaluable role on the training pitch supporting Jordan, Aaron, and Dean.
Off the field, as someone we all know well, he will add to the positive environment we are always looking to create. We are grateful to Manchester United for their support in making this happen.
Heaton told his club website: "I am incredibly honored to be asked by Gareth to join the squad."
"To get the call to go to a major tournament, to help in any way I can, and to pass on my experience is a proud moment. We have a great squad, I'm excited and can't wait to join the group."
Heaton earned three caps for the England national team, with his last appearance being against France in 2017. He was last named in an England squad in September 2019.
The goalkeeper, whose contract with United expires later this month, joined the club in 2021 after leaving Aston Villa. He has made three appearances for United and did not feature for the side during the 2023-24 season.
England, who lost a friendly against Iceland 1-0 at Wembley last Friday, begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday.
Manchester United’s Tom Heaton to join England’s Euro 2024 squad as training goalkeeper
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Manchester United’s Tom Heaton to join England’s Euro 2024 squad as training goalkeeper
- Gareth Southgate picked Everton's Jordan Pickford, Arsenals Aaron Ramsdale, and Crystal Palaces Dean Henderson as the three goalkeepers in his traveling squad after Burnley James Trafford was left out from the final 26-man group
- The goalkeeper, whose contract with United expires later this month, joined the club in 2021 after leaving Aston Villa
World’s top 20 confirmed for Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
- Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and defending champion Mirra Andreeva headline the 26th premier women’s tournament
- WTA 1000 event runs from Feb. 15-21, followed by the 34th ATP 500 tournament from Feb. 23-28
DUBAI: The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships returns in 2026 with one of the strongest WTA 1000 line-ups in its history, featuring all of the world’s top 20 players for the Women’s Week from Feb. 15-21.
The 2026 field features a complete set of top-ranked stars, including World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, World No. 3 Coco Gauff, and World No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, alongside Elena Rybakina (No. 5), Jessica Pegula (No. 6), Jasmine Paolini (No. 7), 2025 champion Mirra Andreeva (No. 8), Madison Keys (No. 9) and Belinda Bencic (No. 10).
Leading the charge is Sabalenka, who returns to Dubai after a standout 2025 season highlighted by her US Open triumph, where the Belarusian claimed her fourth career Grand Slam title and secured a second consecutive win in New York. Reinforcing her position at the top of the women’s game, Sabalenka has started the 2026 season in fine form by retaining her title at the Brisbane International without dropping a set.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek also returns following another exceptional season in which the Polish star captured the 2025 Wimbledon title and reached multiple WTA 1000 finals, finishing the year with one of the highest win percentages on tour.
Joining them is Gauff, who enjoyed a defining 2025 campaign with her French Open victory, the second Grand Slam title of her career and first on clay. The American 21-year-old also added a Masters 1000 trophy in Cincinnati and reached the semi-finals of both the Australian Open and US Open grand slams, closing the year inside the top three for the first time.
Defending champion Andreeva had a breakthrough season in 2025, which saw her secure a historic triumph in Dubai, making her the youngest WTA 1000 champion in history. The 18-year-old Russian followed that success with two Grand Slam quarter-finals and a rapid rise into the world’s top 15. She arrives in Dubai looking to defend the title that launched her onto the global stage.
“We are delighted to welcome all of the top 20 women’s players once again,” said Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free and chairman of the organising committee. “The depth of talent committed for 2026 reflects the status of this event on the global tennis calendar. Dubai has become an essential stop for the world’s best players, and we look forward to another exceptional week of world-class tennis.”
The line-up also includes talents such as World No. 12 and two-time Dubai champion Elina Svitolina, as well as Canada’s World No. 17 Victoria Mboko, whose breakthrough performances propelled her into the world’s top 20 for the first time. Their presence adds further depth to a roster that cements Dubai’s position as one of the most competitive stops on the WTA calendar.
Salah Tahlak, tournament director and deputy managing director of Dubai Duty Free, said of the line-up: “Women’s tennis continues to set new standards for competitiveness and quality. With the top 20 players confirmed, spectators can expect compelling matches from the opening day. Each year our WTA event delivers incredible moments, and 2026 promises to be no different.”
The 2026 Championships will run back-to-back once again, with the women’s WTA 1000 event from Feb. 15-21 and the men’s ATP 500 tournament from Feb. 23-28.
