England head coach Thomas Tuchel will name a 26-man squad for the World Cup. This follows England’s ‘Send-Off Series’ which concluded with a defeat against Japan at Wembley.
Tuchel named a split 35-man squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. He wanted a close-up look at his wider England options. He must now whittle that number down to 26 as England prepare for their opening World Cup game against Croatia on 17 June in Arlington, Texas.
Likely Squad Mainstays
Tuchel will digest the food for thought that England’s friendlies have given him as he finalises his plans. Tuchel will have the vast majority of his squad already fixed in his mind. Those certain selections form an experienced bedrock he will count on at the World Cup.
England’s spine will be familiar trusted lieutenants of both Tuchel and his predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate, such as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and Manchester City’s Marc Guehi alongside club-mate John Stones if fit. And of course the other mainstays, Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
Jordan Pickford remains unchallenged as England’s first choice. Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson has emerged as a confident and able deputy. James Trafford gets the nod as the third keeper because he is not only a future England number one.
Defence and Midfield Considerations
Ezri Konsa has proved he is perfectly at home at international level and is likely to start alongside Guehi if Stones does not make it. The fitness of John Stones will be under scrutiny as the World Cup approaches. He is seen as a class act with great experience at major tournaments.
Arsenal’s Rice will be the high-class hub of England’s midfield, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa fighting for the number 10 position. Bellingham would be the starter.
Forwards Confirmed
England captain and all-time record scorer Kane remains irreplaceable. The friendlies against Uruguay and Japan proved this. Bukayo Saka’s quality and major tournament experience make him an automatic choice.
Predicted 26-Man Squad
One expert’s predicted 26-man England squad for the World Cup:
- GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
- DEFENDERS: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Lewis Hall
- MIDFIELD: Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo
- FORWARDS: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Danny Welbeck, Jarrod Bowen
Tuchel will now finalise his plans after digesting the friendlies. He will then make his picks for the World Cup.