England World Cup Squad Predictions: Big shocks as Tuchel prepares 26-man squad

Thomas Tuchel is set to name his 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup on Friday 22 May 2026, as the Three Lions target glory this summer. 

There’s still plenty of places up for grabs and there will be some big names missing out, so below some of our best and brightest writers, and myself, have named the 26 that we would pick for the World Cup in North America. Check out our England World Cup Squad Predictions down below.

World Cup 2026 Odds

Goalkeepers (3) : Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Very simple in terms of goalkeepers and I don’t think there is any debate over the three to be had in truth.

Defenders (8): Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly, Luke Shaw

In defence there are some certainties you would think. Marc Guehi is the pick of the centre backs while Ezri Konsa has also done enough to go and probably start alongside him. For the other two centre-backs I’ve gone for experience, and England know-how. John Stones is still top class despite a lack of gametime while Harry Maguire has been excellent in Manchester United’s resurgence and has been fantastic for the Three Lions in recent years. 

He’s a class above Dan Burn in my opinion, while Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Fikayo Tomori haven’t done enough. I’ve gone for Nico O’Reilly to start at left back, and I’d rather have Luke Shaw’s experience as back-up rather than Lewis Hall. Tournament experience is absolutely crucial, especially in the back four.

At right back, it is Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold. James’ injury issues are a concern but Konsa can also cover at right back if needed, while Trent should go, despite a middling season at new club Real Madrid.

Midfielders (8): Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo, Alex Scott, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden

I’ve seen too many squads being made up with not enough central midfielders in, so I’ve gone the other way and packed this area of the squad with lots of depth. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson should start, while both Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers should go as number 10s. 

Adam Wharton has been fantastic for Crystal Palace this term and should go, while I’d also take Kobbie Mainoo based on his recent Manchester United form and what he showed for England at Euro 2024. The wildcard here is 23-year-old Alex Scott, who deserves a call-up given his Bournemouth form and is ahead of Jordan Henderson and James Garner for me. 

Then we come to Phil Foden. He’s in as number 10 cover here. With 26 places, there is room for him, and although I can see Morgan Gibbs-White going in his place, I think his quality of the bench could be crucial at some stage. 

Forwards (7): Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon,  Eberechi Eze, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Harry Kane

I’ve got two wingers for either side. Bukayo Saka is nailed on and I’m going to back Cole Palmer as his back-up on the right. Palmer was so crucial at Euro 2024, it is impossible for me to leave him out, despite a drop-off this season for Chelsea. 

On the left there are limited options in truth - where’s Trevor Sinclair when you need him? Anthony Gordon should go, and I’ve put Marcus Rashford in there too, after he found some good form towards the end of the season for Barcelona. Both can also play as a number nine if needed, which is good as I’m only taking two strikers. Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins both deserve their spots after fantastic seasons. 

For cover across the front line or in midfield, I’m going to put Eberechi Eze in. Could feature on the left (as could Rogers), but if a spark is needed I’m happy to chuck him on. Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha came into my thoughts but there is too much deserved quality ahead of them, while I’ve never been convinced on Jarrod Bowen as an England man. 

Nick's England Squad

Goalkeepers (3) : Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Same as Simon.

I'm not as enamoured with Jordan Pickford as others, but he's a sure-fire starter here, with Dean Henderson providing the stiffest competition and James Trafford travelling as the third man for experience.

Defenders (8): Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Levi Colwill, Fikayo Tomori, Nico O’Reilly, Lewis Hall

Five of the same, but I'm swapping Harry Maguire, John Stones and Luke Shaw for Levi Colwill, Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Hall.

For me, the only appeal of Maguire is lobbing him on in the last five minutes a goal down and hoping he gets his head on something in the opposition's penalty area. Other than that, I don't see the logic of taking him, as I think he would get roasted by some of the speediest attackers at the tournament, and I don't back his decision-making.

As for Stones, he's featured just four times for Manchester City in 2026, making three starts, all of which were in the FA Cup, and two were against lower-league opposition in Salford City (League Two) and Southampton (Championship). He can't be trusted to stay fit, and is way too rusty to be considered for the World Cup.

I'm not big on the other options in central defence, but Levi Colwill has played three of Chelsea's last four games, starting twice, since recovering from a long-term knee injury and looks to have proved his fitness. As a left-footed centre-back who is comfortable in possession, he could be a useful addition to the squad.

Then, I'm opting for Fikayo Tomori ahead of Jarell Quansah, with the AC Milan providing greater experience than the Bayer Leverkusen man and playing an important role in I Rossoneri conceding just 33 goals in 37 Serie A games so far. Without Tomori, Milan have shipped 11 goals in five matches, an average of 2.2 goals per game, while with him, they've conceded 22 in 32 matches (1.45 p/g).

As for Shaw, it's 2026; Hall is a better, and much younger, left back.

Midfielders (7): Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White

Mainoo and Foden out for Gibbs-White.

No goals and three assists; that's how Foden's 2026 has gone so far. He stunk the gaff out at Euro 2024, has shown very few glimpses of his quality in an England shirt, and is in terrible form - how can his inclusion be justified? If we're selecting players on pure ability, let's make room for Gazza and Dele as well, shall we?

Gibbs-White, on the other hand, is in red-hot form, scoring 13 goals and registering four assists since the turn of the year, and he's a bundle of energy, which could be crucial in North America.

Mainoo was unlucky to miss out, and I was tempted to drop an attacker out for him. I've got no problems with him being picked, there are just question marks over his physical ability at this moment in time, so Scott edges it.

Forwards (8): Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Rio Ngumoha, Max Dowman, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Danny Welbeck, Harry Kane

Palmer and Eze out for Ngumoha, Dowman and Danny Welbeck.

Once again, I was mightily close to picking Palmer, and it feels slightly wrong to leave him out when you know just how much quality he possesses. But, sentiment aside, he's been woeful for the best part of a year and looks bereft of confidence. For me, he doesn't get near the starting XI, and off the bench, I want some pace, as I think that's what this England squad has been lacking in previous tournaments.

Ngumoha offers that and a direct style that frightens defenders, while we've seen Dowman glide past defenders for Arsenal this season, albeit his involvement has been restricted lately as the Gunners drew closer to the finishing line in the Premier League.

Taking a pair of teenagers, one 16 (Dowman) and the other 17 (Ngumoha), will raise eyebrows, but this isn't a 23-man squad anymore, it's 26, so there is room for youth. Ngumoha and Dowman have the ability to open up packed defences, and they have the sort of fearlessness that we've been missing previously.

Eze, again, is someone that I considered, but despite starting more games for Arsenal recently, he's not impressed sufficiently to be picked ahead of these wingers or No. 10s like Gibbs-White and Rogers.

Tuchel will probably take just two strikers, with Kane and Euro 2024 semi-final hero Watkins most likely to be on the plane, but I'm thinking worst-case scenario where Kane gets injured at the start of the tournament; do you want to be relying on Watkins, who has endured a long season, for the rest of the World Cup?

Welbeck has scored 13 goals in 36 Premier League appearances this season and is terrific at holding the ball up and linking play, and by all accounts, is a great guy. He takes Jordan Henderson's 'good lad around the place' role while actually offering quality on the pitch.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is unlucky to miss out.

Conor's England Squad

Goalkeepers (3): Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Snap. The goalkeeping department is as straightforward as it gets. 

Defenders (8): Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Harry Maguire, Dan Burn, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nico O’Reilly, Luke Shaw

In defence, I have largely agreed with Simon but I would not be taking John Stones. As much experience he brings, his injury record in recent years put a big mark against his selection, in my opinion.

Dan Burn may be seen as a wildcard but he’s been playing regularly this season and he’s rarely let Newcastle United down. His towering frame, like Harry Maguire’s slab-head, can be a good weapon for the Three Lions to have in their arsenal.

Nico O'Reilly has really impressed me for Manchester City this term. He should be named the Premier League Young Player of the Season and be England's starting left-back. The experienced Luke Shaw should help him prepare for the world stage.

Midfielders (8): Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Morgan Gibbs-White, Morgan Rogers

In midfield, I have selected Morgan Gibbs-White over Phil Foden. Gibbs-White has been Nottingham Forest’s star player for a few years now and he has just bagged 14 goals in 36 Premier League matches this term.

He can play in midfield or offer versatility out on the left should if required. Foden has failed to live up to expectations in an England shirt as far as I’m concerned. I think he would be a wasted seat on the plane. He does not get in ahead of Gibbs-White or Morgan Rogers based on current form.

Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are self-explanatory, while I think the depth Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo and Alex Scott provide will give England one of the strongest midfields at the World Cup.

Scott has really grown at Bournemouth in the past two years. I think people were premature to hype him up coming through at Bristol City, but he's certainly starting to realise his potential. He's deserving of a place in the squad.

Attackers (7): Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Cole Palmer sneaks into the attacking ranks because, frankly, England’s lack of world class talent in wide areas is ultimately the reason why I think they are still some distance away from winning tournaments.

Palmer has been off the boil for some time but I’d charge him with being Bukayo Saka’s understudy.

Noni Madueke has to improve his consistency to be considered as Saka's back-up for England, while I think right now Marcus Rashford edges Anthony Gordon for the spot on the left flank.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets in because he’s had a fine season with Leeds United (14 league goals) and I think he’s worth having around just in case the worst case scenario were to happen with the main man Harry Kane or first reserve Ollie Watkins.

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