Alan Shearer has named England's starting XI for their World Cup opener against Croatia - and he's made some bold calls.
Thomas Tuchel has named his 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup, with the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Marcus Rashford included, while Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, to name but a few, have been omitted.
England are grouped with old rivals Croatia, Panama and Ghana in Group L, with their first 2026 World Cup fixture taking place on June 17.
Tuchel has some big calls to make regarding his starting XI, with Shearer sharing his predicted XI ahead of their opener next month.
And Shearer himself has made a huge decision on Jude Bellingham, leaving him out of his England starting XI.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford
Pickford has been England's main man between the sticks since 2017 and featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Shearer is backing the Everton stopper to compete at his fifth major tournament.
The 32-year-old enjoyed another stellar campaign in the Premier League, having kept 11 clean sheets at club level.
He's regarded as one of England's senior players, having experienced several major moments in a Three Lions shirt. From saving Carlos Bacca's penalty against Colombia in a shootout at the 2018 World Cup to preventing Jorginho from the spot in the Euro 2020 final.
Pickford has 82 international caps to his name.
Defenders
Nico O'Reilly, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Reece James
Shearer is going with a back four consisting of Manchester City's Marc Guehi and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa at the heart of the defence. Guehi joined Man City from Crystal Palace during the winter transfer window and made 20 appearances across all competitions. He's been paired with Konsa, who has starred for Villa this season, winning the Europa League and helping his side secure a top four finish in the league.
Nico O'Reilly and Reece James slot in at left-back and right-back respectively. O'Reilly, who made his senior international debut last year, has had a tremendous campaign at Man City and won the 2025/26 Premier League Young of the Player season award. James has suffered a series of injuries this season, but has been backed by Shearer to start against Croatia.
Midfielders
Eliott Anderson, Declan Rice
Shearer has picked two Premier League standouts to feature in midfield, with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Arsenal's Declan Rice getting the nod.
Anderson emerged as a key player under Thomas Tuchel during England's World Cup qualifying campaign and is poised to start after a stellar season with Forest. He has played seven games for England since making his senior international debut last year.
Rice, who has earned 62 international caps, has been extremely influential for Arsenal this season and helped his team win the Premier League title. He's expected to be one of England's key players at the upcoming World Cup.
Forwards
Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka
Like Anderson, Morgan Rogers has also emerged as a key player under Tuchel, having excelled for England since making his senior international debut in November 2024. Shearer has tipped the Aston Villa ace to start in the No.10 position, snubbing Bellingham, who has been a clutch performer for England over the years.
On Rogers, Shearer told The Rest Is Football: "I think Rogers is a certainty to start in there. That goes along with who’s been in the squad, who’s done well, who’s got a hold of the shirt to start with it. And I think Rogers will be one of the first names on the team sheet."
Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka join Rogers and Harry Kane in attack. Rashford starred on loan at Barcelona, while Saka inspired Arsenal to league glory. Rashford scored 14 goals across all competitions, steering Barca to La Liga triumph. Saka also had an impressive season, scoring 11 goals in all competitions.
As for Kane, he scored a staggering 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich and will lead the line.