We now know Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad – but questions remain about who makes his starting XI at the World Cup. The England team will travel to the United States for friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica to prepare for the major tournament.
A number of notable names were left out of Tuchel’s squad, including Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Harry Maguire. Fans were left surprised by the German’s announcement but he insisted he chose with the entire team’s best interests at heart.
Discussing the reasons for his cutthroat calls, Tuchel said: “Of course you saw our squad selection for the World Cup, which is an exciting day for me and for everyone selected. I think from day one we were very clear that we are trying to select and build the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect the 26 most talented players.
“Teams win championships, it is as simple as that. What we are trying to achieve in the summer can only be achieved as a team.
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“I can assure every fan in the country that we have 26 100% committed players in camp with us, who know their role, who are ready to buy into their role, on and off the pitch, who are ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish.”
Now that the squad is set, Mirror Football takes a look at the ideal starting XI Tuchel would like to face Croatia with in their opening game of the World Cup.
This is arguably the easiest position for Tuchel to choose, with Jordan Pickford continuing to be an impressive presence between the sticks. The Everton shotstopper has 82 caps for his country and kept 11 clean sheets for his club this season.
View 7 ImagesJordan Pickford is one of the first names on the teamsheet(Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
James Trafford appears to be Pickford’s long-term heir and made his senior debut for the Three Lions in a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, but he is unlikely to unseat the Toffees star from his starting berth.
Dean Henderson remains back-up and made his most recent appearance for England against Albania last year. The Crystal Palace ‘keeper will be hoping to end the campaign on a high with victory in the Conference League final on Wednesday.
Tuchel will hope for some quick recoveries in the defensive line if he is to start his strongest back four against Croatia. Nico O’Reilly has had a breakout season for Manchester City this year, scoring nine goals and assisting six times from 53 appearances.
The 21-year-old has emerged as an excellent choice at left-back despite not having much experience with the Three Lions. However, that can be offset by his now-former City team-mate John Stones.
View 7 ImagesThe full-backs will be youth versus experience(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
The defender departed the Etihad at the weekend after a decade with the club. He has plenty of expertise in the centre-half position for England with 87 caps and three goals.
Tuchel will be riding on Stones’ most recent injury disappearing quickly after he returned for City in their final game against Aston Villa. He had only managed eight minutes versus Crystal Palace in May prior to that after dealing with thigh and calf issues at the beginning of 2026.
If Stones is fit enough to face Croatia, he will no doubt he partnered by another City man in Marc Guehi. The former Palace star joined Pep Guardiola’s side in January after becoming a mainstay in the England squad.
Guehi has won three trophies in the last year, including the FA Cup with both City and Palace. The 25-year-old made 53 appearances in all competitions this season and will be crucial if the Three Lions are to add to that silverware.
View 7 ImagesStones and Guehi are the clear first-choice partnership at the heart of defence(Image: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Reece James is the final name to make up the defence, but only if his own injury issues clear up. The Chelsea captain missed a good portion of the 2025/26 season due to hamstring and hip problems.
The right-back has impressed for England across his 22 caps but has missed plenty of action in previous years due to injury. James came off the bench against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, boosting his hopes to face Croatia in June.
While Tuchel sparked discussion with his picks in defence and attack, his midfield duo picks itself. Premier League champion Declan Rice is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
View 7 ImagesDeclan Rice and Elliot Anderson have each enjoyed standout seasons(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
That’s as long as he can avoid injury in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The 27-year-old has been almost ever-present for the Gunners this season, scoring five goals and assisting 11 times.
He should be joined in the middle of the park by Elliot Anderson, who has shone in a struggling Nottingham Forest side. The 23-year-old has seven caps for England and has earned a £100million price tag for his performances at the City Ground.
Marcus Rashford made a renaissance of his career during a season-long loan to Barcelona this season. The winger pushed his way back into the England squad with his performances for the La Liga champions.
He made 28 goal contributions and won two trophies with Barca, earning the right to start against Croatia. Bukayo Saka will be the other winger to flank Kane after he helped bring Premier League success back to north London, registering 11 goals and nine times across 48 appearances during the 25/26 campaign.
View 7 ImagesRashford, Saka and Kane know each other well(Image: Alex Livesey – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Morgan Rogers may well have locked up the No.10 role after helping Aston Villa win their first major trophy in 30 years. The 23-year-old made 26 goal contributions from a variety of positions, including left wing. It’s a tight call between him and Jude Bellingham, given the Real Madrid star’s impressive performances for England in recent tournaments. Bellingham scored eight goals and assisted five times for Madrid but failed to win any silverware in Spain this season, and Tuchel’s priority for team unity would suggest he could be forced to settle for the bench. Harry Kane then completes what looks to be a formidable attack on paper. The Bayern Munich striker has 68 goal contributions for the club this season and won a domestic treble in Germany.
View 7 ImagesMorgan Rogers will aim to drive England to victory(Image: Angel Martinez – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Kane is also England’s all-time top goalscorer, having scored 78 goals in 112 appearances. The Three Lions captain is in the form of his life and will plan to continue his prowess on the world’s biggest stage this summer.
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