Thomas Tuchel is still facing some big decisions ahead of England's opening game of the World Cup next week, and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is predicting him to make a big call
12:34, 10 Jun 2026
Jamie Carragher speaking on The Overlap
Jamie Carragher has predicted Thomas Tuchel will make a big call with his first England team at the World Cup(Image: The Overlap)
Jamie Carragher has predicted Thomas Tuchel will send a “message” to his England squad by overlooking Jude Bellingham for the Three Lions’ first game of the World Cup.
This summer’s tournament gets underway on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico kick things off against South Africa. England will have to wait a little while longer, with its first game not coming until June 17 against Croatia.
Now under Tuchel’s leadership after Gareth Southgate’s long spell in charge saw them reach two major finals, the Three Lions will be aiming to finally end their long wait for another World Cup, with their triumph on home soil in 1966 still their only international trophy.
Tuchel faces a number of big decisions regarding his team, having already shaken things up by leaving the likes of Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer out of his squad, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been snubbed following his first season at Real Madrid.
Perhaps the biggest call now surrounds Bellingham and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with the pair both vying to start as England’s No.10 at the tournament, and Carragher believes the latter should get the nod.
“It’s the World Cup. It’s about winning,” Carragher said on The Overlap.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 08: Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers #17 of England look on during a training session during the England World Cup 2026 Camp on June 08, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has predicted Morgan Rogers will start ahead of Jude Bellingham(Image: Getty Images)
“But I think the way you saw him deal with Bellingham, leaving Palmer out and Foden. It’s almost like a message to the rest of the (squad), you know what – he’s the manager.
“He’s going to make big decisions. I think he’ll start with Rogers.”
There are no Liverpool players involved for England, although Rio Ngumoha was called up for the team’s training camp, and he impressed once again as he produced a player of the match performance on his debut against New Zealand at the weekend.
"I'll say it was a crazy feeling,” Ngumoha said on his debut.
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"I was happy, I was buzzing. I knew from when we had the meeting before that it was a first-half team and a second-half team, so I was preparing.
"It's good that I didn't have much time to think about it, but I wasn't too nervous, to be fair. I just wanted to play and just show everyone what I could do. And yeah, I just had fun."
England will get another run-out today (Wednesday) ahead of the tournament starting as it faces Costa Rica, a week before its opening game against Croatia.
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From there, Tuchel’s side will face Ghana and Panama in its other group games, with the Three Lions aiming to lay down an early marker after some recent unconvincing performances.