The World Cup kicks off in just over two months and England go into the tournament as one of the favourites.
Thomas Tuchel was hired in January 2025 with the hope he could be the man to lead the Three Lions to their first major trophy since 1966.
Signs have been promising for England with Tuchel at the helm, with the German overseeing a stellar qualifying campaign which saw the them win all eight of their matches and not concede a single goal.
Following England's recent friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan, many high-profile pundits, including Alan Shearer, have named the 11 players they think should start for the Three Lions in their opening World Cup match against Croatia on June 11.
Joe Cole has now given his XI, and he thinks Tuchel should drop one of his star players.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Jordan Pickford celebrates winning at Old Trafford
Jordan Pickford is almost guaranteed to start for England at the World Cup. Cole thinks he should start in goal, with Reece James at right-back. In the middle of defence, he would choose John Stones to partner Marc Guehi. He said:
"I’m going Jordan Pickford in goal. Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones – I would have liked him to have played more games of football this season, but you need experience at the World Cup, and he’s massively experienced. You always have that fear of him breaking down but maybe it will work because he’s fresh, knows what he’s doing and brings experience.
The left-back position is up for grabs, with Lewis Hall and Nico O'Reilly the top contenders to start. Cole thinks the latter should be given the nod, saying:
"At left-back I do like Lewis Hall, but I’m going with Nico O’Reilly because he gives that penetration going forward."
Midfield
England's Jude Bellingham
England's Jude Bellingham
Cole thinks Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson should start in midfield, while he thinks Jude Bellingham should play ahead of Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden. He said:
"Declan Rice starts in midfield, and I’m going to go Elliot Anderson next to him. I would have Declan a bit deeper than where he plays for Arsenal – there’s a big push for him to play further forward, but we’ve got so much already going forward.
"I would tell Declan that he’s the most crucial player on the pitch and he needs to marshal that midfield. If England are going to win the World Cup we’re going to have to be really good off the ball.
‘"I would have Jude Bellingham as the No. 10 but if he isn’t performing, you can quite easily make a change there."
Forwards
Cole Palmer
Interestingly, Cole thinks Cole Palmer should start at right wing instead of Bukayo Saka. He's also gone with Anthony Gordon instead of Marcus Rashford on the left and Harry Kane up front.
‘"I would have Cole Palmer coming in from the right like he’s been doing at Chelsea, releasing him up, and almost playing two number tens. A midfield of Rice, Anderson, Bellingham, Palmer has power, ability and goals.
"On the left I would start with Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford because he scores goals, he’s a warrior and he presses really well and has legs to run in behind and that will help Harry Kane if he’s dropping off sometimes."
He concluded: "I think with that team we can control possession and win the World Cup.’"