National World Top Stories Update Monday 17 November, 2025
England have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a perfect record.
On Sunday, November 18, the Three Lions rounded out their World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 win away to Albania. The victory ensured England topped group K, having not lost a match or even conceded a goal.
Jude Bellingham was replaced by Morgan Rogers in the closing minutes of England's victory over Albania.placeholder image
Jude Bellingham was replaced by Morgan Rogers in the closing minutes of England's victory over Albania. | Getty Images
Speaking after the game, the Bayern Munich striker said: “I think we’ve had a lot of great qualifying campaigns in recent history and we’ve topped that with this one, so we can be really proud of the hard work that we put in.
“I know sometimes we maybe don’t get the credit for these type of wins and campaigns, but we’ve done our job, we’ve done what we need to do and we’ve done it in style as well. We can be really proud of that and look forward to the new year now.”
Harry Kane scored England’s second goal against Albania yesterday.placeholder image
Harry Kane scored England’s second goal against Albania yesterday. | Getty Images
Tuchel added: “I love the players. I love their attitude, I love their investment, how they bought into these camps from the start. Then we had a little dip in June and from September we just took step after step almost on a daily basis. It’s just a pure pleasure to work with them.
“It’s very, very difficult for me now. I told them in the dressing room I have to say ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and see you in March’, which really hurts me I have to say.
“I almost got emotional because I would love to compete with them next Wednesday again, and next Saturday and it’s not possible.”
With just over six months to go before England jet off to North America for the World Cup, what is Tuchel’s strongest starting XI? Looking at everyone’s individual performances as of late - for both club and country - we think we’ve figured it out.
Our starting XI assumes that the Three Lions go into the tournament without any major injury absences, although we have made contingencies where we felt it necessary; we’ve also stuck with Tuchel’s 4-2-3-1 formation that has been used throughout the qualifying stage.
GK: Jordan Pickford
England’s number one goalkeeper is a shoe-in between the sticks, and has been for years. Short of a major injury, he will inevitably start in goal at the World Cup.
RB: Reece James
Many would expect me to put Trent Alexander-Arnold in here, but my pick is Chelsea’s Reece James. If he can stay fit, he has proven time and again that he has the pace, power and technical ability to be one of the best full-backs in the world.
CB: Ezri Konsa
Dating back to Southgate’s time as manager, Aston Villa centre-back Konsa has formed a superb defensive partnership with the next player on our teamsheet.
CB: Marc Guehi
Currently sidelined due to a minor injury, Guehi is comfortably England’s best defender. There’s a reason Europe’s elite clubs are sniffing around him - a tall, physical presence with the game awareness to boot, and a consumate professional at that.
LB: Nico O’Reilly
There are quite a few options for left-back, and all have made a good claim to the position. But yesterday’s match against Albania reminded me of just how impressive Man City’s Nico O’Reilly can be. Pacey, keen to drive the ball forward and still an imposing figure defensively, he gets the nod as far as we’re concerned.
CDM: Elliot Anderson
Over the World Cup qualifiers, Elliot Anderson has made this position his own. We have so many midfielders in the England squad, but very few that can guard the back four as confidently as the Nottingham Forest man.
CDM: Declan Rice
I am loving the freedom that England’s system gives Declan Rice. The Arsenal man is able to roam freely, whether that’s to drop back and help the defenders when a full-back makes a run, or to drive into the box himself and have a shot at goal. He’s so difficult to track on the pitch - and that makes him lethal.
RM: Cole Palmer
I can already hear the ‘what about Bukayo Saka’ brigade furiously typing their comments. But just hold your horses and hear me out. When they are both fit, I think Chelsea’s talisman has the edge over Saka, and is at his most effective off the right-hand side. That being said, Saka is a lethal super-sub and a genuine ace in the hole late into a game.
LM: Eberechi Eze
I spent a fair bit of time pondering whether I would prefer to have Eze or Marcus Rashford in this position, with the latter having a bit of a career revival since heading on loan to Barcelona. But Eze still gets the nod here.
CAM: Jude Bellingham
Arguably the first name on the teamsheet, the rest of the team has to fit around Bellingham. Those moments of magic that he can pull out of the bag will change the course of a match in an instant.
ST: Harry Kane
Was it ever in doubt? England’s star striker continues to fire on all cylinders and is the backbone of this team. Whether he’s dropping deep to help spread the play in the midfield, or scoring crucial goals, Kane is the in-form man we need upfront.
Bench and honourable mentions
As previously discussed, Bukayo Saka could end up starting at right-midfield, depending on Cole Palmer’s form once he returns from injury. The two are practically a 1A and 1B when it comes to being first-choice, so might even be interchangeable depending on England’s opposition.
The same goes for Rashford starting on the other flank. It boils down to who performs best for their club this season, as well as which player impresses Tuchel more in traning and upcoming international friendlies.
In defence, Dan Burn is the ideal man to be swinging corners into, and his versatility means he can play either centre-back or left-back for the Three Lions. Don’t discount Phil Foden’s impact either - the Man City playmaker
Tuchel’s nightmare scenario would be Harry Kane picking up a major injury ahead of the tournament; he’s England’s most prolific goalscorer by a country mile, and would be dearly missed. But Ollie Watkins is a dependable number nine (if he finds his scoring boots again at Aston Villa) and of all people, Danny Welbeck is staking a claim to be in the squad, with his outstanding performances for Brighton as of late.
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