John Terry has named the England lineup he would start at the 2026 World Cup, after delivering a rather blunt assessment of several of Thomas Tuchel’s decisions ahead of this summer’s tournament. The Three Lions will be aiming to end a 60-year trophy drought when they kick off their campaign across the USA, Canada, and Mexico on June 17.
As is often the case before major international tournaments, much of the pre-match chatter has focused less on who made the squad and more on who missed out. Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Terry claimed that only around 13-14 players in the 26-man squad are truly good enough, while insisting that Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Cole Palmer should have made the plane.
However, after being asked to park his frustrations over the notable omissions, as he hopes there will be a method to the madness, the former Chelsea captain has turned his attention to those actually in the squad - and named his preferred starting XI. Unsurprisingly, it’s a selection that is bound to ruffle a few feathers.
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Goalkeeper and Defence
England trainingIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
There can be no surprises in Terry picking Jordan Pickford between the sticks. The Everton goalkeeper was Gareth Southgate's trusted number one in every tournament he led England through, and he seems to have only got better with age after helping his side win their first-ever penalty shootout in the 2018 World Cup.
Marc Guehi and Reece James are among the best players in their positions, and with Terry well-versed on the latter's talents from their time together at Stamford Bridge, those decisions were also likely a no-brainer. He has settled for Nico O'Reilly at left-back, though believes Luke Shaw's experience could have helped him out.
The only real surprise, however, is that he's picked Ezri Konsa - fresh off winning the Europa League final with Aston Villa - over John Stones, despite Morgan's instructions that his team should be picked on the unlikely basis that everyone's fit.
Midfield
Jude BellinghamLee Smith via Reuters
Most people are starting to come to terms with the fact that Tuchel has a very clear footballing identity, and therefore knows exactly which system players - and profiles - fit what he wants from his team. That is why Morgan Rogers looks set to usurp Jude Bellingham in the attacking midfield role this summer, although Terry would still start the Real Madrid man for his big-game pedigree.
Terry does, however, agree that Elliot Anderson deserves his place alongside Declan Rice at the base of midfield. A relatively new addition to England squads since around this time last year, the Nottingham Forest midfielder has been exceptional in an England shirt, delivering selfless, mature performances that make it feel as though he has been part of the setup for years.
Elliot Anderson Declan Rice
In many ways, he is expected to do the dirty work and “do the running” so that Rice - widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, having developed into a dominant box-to-box presence and a driving force behind Arsenal’s Premier League success - can be given licence to roam and dictate the game.
Attack
Marcus RashfordMatthew Childs / Action images via Reuters
Snubbing Anthony Gordon for Marcus Rashford is Terry's final interesting decision. That said, some would argue the Manchester United winger has done enough to warrant a start under Tuchel, despite Barcelona deciding against turning his loan deal permanent, instead splashing out on his England rival.
Bukayo Saka takes up a place on the opposite flank, with no real competition for his starting spot there. Arsenal's star boy had a quiet season last time out, but he's still one of the most reliable chance-providers in English football, and his unpredictable nature out on the right pairs perfectly with Rashford/Gordon's pace on the left.
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Through the middle, was there ever any doubt that it would be Harry Kane? With 67 goals for club and country since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, no striker is putting up numbers as high as his, and there's a reason he's among the favourites for October's Ballon d'Or. See Terry's lineup below:
John Terry England LineupHome Crowd