There are now fewer than 100 days before the 2026 World Cup begins. While global politics threaten to overshadow the tournament, Thomas Tuchel will primarily be focused on just one thing: picking his 26-man England squad.
The Three Lions' head coach has until 30 May to decide upon the final group of international stars that will travel with him to the summer tournament, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. It will then be publicly announced on 1 June, with England's first game against Croatia on 17 June in Arlington, Texas.
Tuchel will have his eyes primarily on the Premier League and the Champions League as he looks to whittle down his squad to those final 26 members. With all that in mind, it currently looks as though these men are the favourites to make the cut.
Goalkeepers
jordan pickford-1
The number one goalkeeper spot for England will be among the easiest to call for Tuchel. Without a shadow of a doubt, Jordan Pickford will be the starter at the World Cup so long as he's fit for the tournament. The Everton star has always performed well for the Three Lions when it's mattered most, making him one of the best shot-stoppers in English football history.
The next spot should go to Crystal Palace star Dean Henderson, who has now played four times for his country and started the most recent outing, a 2-0 win over Albania. This final position is a little harder to call, as Nick Pope, James Trafford and Aaron Ramsdale will all have their eye on it.
However, seeing as Ramsdale has recently been picked as Newcastle's number one over Pope, and Trafford can't get a game at Manchester City, the former Arsenal man might just sneak onto the plane. A lot could change between now and the end of the season, though.
England Goalkeepers for 2026 World Cup
Name
Jordan Pickford
Dean Henderson
Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders
reece james
Things start getting more complicated in defence, but it's likely that Tuchel will want at least one backup for every position. The recent international retirement of Kyle Walker could mean that Reece James becomes the immediate first-choice option at right-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also a fine option, albeit famously not quite as secure defensively.
At left-back, it's not the easiest call for Tuchel. The German may well prefer the experience of Luke Shaw, but it's hard to know what his fitness will be like going into the tournament. Lewis Hall would be a strong contender to make the squad, but with Nico O'Reilly growing in importance for Man City every week, he may just get the nod – especially as his versatility also makes him a useful option.
In the past, Harry Maguire and John Stones have formed a formidable partnership for the Three Lions. If both fit, their experience will come in handy, but it's likely that Marc Guehi comes in as a starter for the 2026 World Cup, having shone alongside Stones at Euro 2024. Like the aforementioned O'Reilly, Ezri Konsa also offers versatility, as he can play at centre-back or at right-back.
|England Defenders for 2026 World Cup|
|Name|Club|Position|
|Reece James|Chelsea|Right-back|
|Trent Alexander-Arnold|Real Madrid|Right-back|
|Luke Shaw|Man Utd|Left-back|
|Nico O'Reilly|Man City|Left-back|
|Marc Guehi|Man City|Centre-back|
|Harry Maguire|Man Utd|Centre-back|
|John Stones|Man City|Centre-back|
|Ezri Konsa|Aston Villa|Centre-back|
|---|
Midfielders
declan rice england
In the middle of the park, Tuchel prefers to play with three. One of those men will be Declan Rice, providing he is fit and available, and the current preferred option to partner him appears to be Elliot Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder is having a fine season, but will face competition for the role from Adam Wharton.
Kobbie Mainoo played alongside Rice at Euro 2024, and having found his way back into the picture at Man Utd, he could also book a seat on the plane. An even more experienced head to call upon will be Jordan Henderson. Fans may groan at his inclusion, but the Brentford ace will be a key man to have in the dressing room, and likely won't see much game time anyway.
In a more attacking sense, Jude Bellingham has to be the favourite to spearhead the midfield trio. That said, Tuchel will have been impressed by Morgan Rogers' displays in the number 10 role for England. At this point, it's hard to know who will start, but both men should make the plane.
|England Midfielders for 2026 World Cup|
|Name|Club|Position|
|Declan Rice|Arsenal|Midfielder|
|Elliot Anderson|Nottingham Forest|Midfielder|
|Adam Wharton|Crystal Palace|Midfielder|
|Kobbie Mainoo|Man Utd|Midfielder|
|Jordan Henderson|Brentford|Midfielder|
|Jude Bellingham|Real Madrid|Midfielder|
|Morgan Rogers|Aston Villa|Midfielder|
|---|
england thomas tuchel Related
Jamie Carragher Picks His 26-Man England Squad For the 2026 World Cup
Carragher thinks Kobbie Mainoo should be on the plane, but he doesn't think Thomas Tuchel should pick Eberechi Eze.
Forwards
England's Harry Kane playing against Serbia
A few of these names pick themselves without much discussion. Captain Harry Kane will be there, as will Bukayo Saka. Anthony Gordon should also make the team, partly thanks to a lack of obvious options on the left flank.
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a decent loan spell at Barcelona, and if he can maintain his form in the final months of the season, he should be in with a decent chance of making the World Cup squad as an alternative left winger. It's a similar story for Noni Madueke, who is Saka's understudy at Arsenal and has always looked bright when asked to do the same role on the right wing for England.
Tuchel will also need someone to provide something different down the middle if Kane isn't firing or just needs a rest. Ollie Watkins did the job well at Euro 2024, netting a winner in the semi-final vs the Netherlands. He's not having the best season at Aston Villa, but should probably still get in just ahead of someone like Ivan Toney
Both Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are brilliant footballers, but a little harder to place in the team. Able to play on the flanks or down the middle, they perhaps don't fit as naturally into Tuchel's vision as some of their international teammates. Foden's poor form puts him at particular risk of missing out, while Palmer hasn't set the world alight at Chelsea this season either.
That said, both have so much quality that they should just about make the cut. However, if poor form or injury rules either man out, Eberechi Eze will be waiting in the wings, ready to step up as another hybrid midfielder/attacker.
|England Forwards for 2026 World Cup|
|Name|Club|Position|
|Bukayo Saka|Arsenal|Right-wing|
|Noni Madueke|Arsenal|Right-wing|
|Anthony Gordon|Newcastle United|Left-wing|
|Marcus Rashford|Man Utd|Left-wing|
|Cole Palmer|Chelsea|Winger/Midfielder|
|Phil Foden|Man City|Winger/Midfielder|
|Harry Kane|Bayern Munich|Striker|
|Ollie Watkins|Aston Villa|Striker|
|---|