The 2026
World Cup is almost here. England kick off their campaign on 17 June against
Croatia in Dallas, and Thomas Tuchel is close to settling on his strongest XI.
For anyone keeping an eye on the World Cup betting markets, England are firmly in the
conversation, and looking at the squad taking shape, it's not hard to see why.
In goal:
Jordan Pickford
Pickford has
been England's number one through three tournaments now, and nothing under
Tuchel has suggested that's about to change. He's 32, experienced, and his
shot-stopping and distribution remain sharp.
Right-back:
Reece James
Tuchel knows
James well from their time together at Chelsea, and James is in strong form for
the Blues right now. James’ right-back form makes him
the obvious pick at right-back this summer.
Centre-back:
Marc Guehi
Now at
Manchester City, Guehi arrives at the World Cup with a strong track record on
the international stage. He started every game bar one at Euro 2024, missing
only through suspension. His reading of the game and calmness in tight moments
make him the obvious first-choice centre-back.
Centre-back:
Ezri Konsa
Konsa has
started seven of Tuchel's 10 games in charge, and that consistency has done the
talking. The Aston Villa defender has quietly become one of the more reliable
presences in this England setup - composed, aggressive when he needs to be, and
increasingly comfortable at this level.
Left-back:
Nico O'Reilly
For years, England's
left-back position has been a rotating door of options that has never quite
been solved. Right now, O'Reilly has the edge. The 20-year-old Manchester City
midfielder has adapted well and earned two starts for England at left-back.
It's not ideal, but it may be the best available option.
Defensive
midfield: Declan Rice
Rice is the
easiest pick in the squad. He is undroppable at Arsenal, and brings exactly the
kind of authority and composure that Tuchel wants at the base of his midfield.
Rice has been at three major tournaments with England and, at 27, this is his
peak.
Central
midfield: Elliot Anderson
Almost out
of nowhere, Anderson has become a key figure under Tuchel. The Nottingham
Forest midfielder won man of the match on his senior debut against Andorra and
backed it up with the same award in the 5-0 win over Serbia days later. He
brings energy, press resistance and ball-recycling - qualities that complement
Rice perfectly.
No.10:
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham
picked up a hamstring injury in early February and is expected to miss the
March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley. Reports suggest his
recovery could run into April, leaving his World Cup participation uncertain,
though most expect him to be named in the final squad. If he's fit and
sharpened up by June, he starts. If not, Morgan Rogers is the man in form and
has a strong case to step in.
Right
wing: Bukayo Saka
Saka has had
a stop-start season at Arsenal with injury, but he remains England's best wide
forward and the player Tuchel most wants on the right. Eight goals and seven
assists across all competitions, despite missing chunks of the season, is a
reminder of his quality.
Left
wing: Anthony Gordon
Gordon has
been one of Newcastle's standout performers this season, particularly in the
Champions League, where he's scored 10 goals in nine games - the best return by
an Englishman for a Premier League club in a single Champions League season.
That kind of form is impossible to ignore. Tuchel has used him regularly, and
he looks nailed on to start on the left.
Striker:
Harry Kane
Kane is England's all-time top scorer and is in the form of his career at Bayern Munich, so there is no doubt about his place in the starting lineup. He'll lead the line, wear the armband, and carry England's best chance of scoring goals throughout the tournament.
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