World Cup 2026: Should Danny Welbeck make the England Squad?

We all know Harry Kane is going to be the main man up front for England at the 2026 World Cup (knocks the nearest wooden surface in reach). But who is Thomas Tuchel looking at to be the Bayern Munich man's understudy, as well as offer a different dynamic from the bench?

Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion could be in the conversation, given his form this season. Below, I take a look at his chances of getting a seat on the plane to North America next summer.

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World Cup Draw

You may think you have gone back in time by about 10 years with Welbeck's name being mentioned in this context but the truth is if Tuchel is making his squad selection based on form, the Seagulls striker has to be in the conversation.

His seven goals in 15 Premier League appearances in 2025/26 is the best return of any English player in the top flight. The former Arsenal man is on course to surpass last season's total of 10 - which is his best return in a single Premier League campaign to date.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is currently the leading contender to go as the second striking option but he has had a difficult start to the season, with just three goals in the league.

Tottenham Hotspur's Dominic Solanke has been plagued with an ankle injury for most of the campaign so far and a lack of game time and fitness may work against him if he is unable to recover and play a lot of minutes in the second half of the season.

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Liam Delap is inexperienced and has already suffered a few injuries at Chelsea this term. Ivan Toney is out in Saudi Arabia, and not being in one of Europe's top five leagues is not going to help his cause, nor is his recent arrest in London over an alleged assault.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) and Callum Wilson (West Ham United) have both been on the scoresheet in recent weeks, and like Welbeck, they could be dark horses for the World Cup squad if certain dominoes fall.

Right now, things are looking slightly promising for Welbeck. The 35-year-old may not have time on his side, but he will provide experience, and he has previously represented the Three Lions on both the World Cup and European Championship stages.

England World Cup 2026 Squad Odds

His last cap came in 2018 against Switzerland in a friendly, which was his 42nd. In those 42 appearances, Welbeck scored 16 goals, 12 of which were in competitive fixtures.

When playing as the front man, he netted 11 times in 26 appearances. Despite good form for Brighton over the past year, he has not found himself on Tuchel's radar, having not been selected in any of the five squads the German coach has named in 2025.

His form should count for something when the serious conversations need to be had ahead of the World Cup, but it does look like the veteran will be fighting a very tough battle to earn the England boss' favour.