World Cup 2026: Should Nick Pope make the England squad?

With England's spot at the 2026 World Cup secured, supporters are already starting to build their ideal 26-man squads. Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel's final selections of the year were revealed on Friday.

As usual, three goalkeepers are expected to take three spots on the plane next summer. First-choice Jordan Pickford looks to have his place all-but sealed at this point, but others will compete for the other two places. One of them is Newcastle United's Nick Pope. Below I take a look at whether he should make the England squad for the World Cup.

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Pope was originally named in Tuchel's squad for the November camp but he has had to withdraw due to concussion protocols after a knock in Newcastle's defeat at Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.

James Trafford was called upon to take his place and he, like Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson and Sam Johnstone, will all be trying to push their way into being the chosen understudies for Pickford, who has never faltered when representing his country.

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Right now, you'd say Pope's chances of making the final squad next summer may not be in his favour. He might be a regular for his club but he is 33 now and given that Trafford was selected in Tuchel's first four squads, it seems apparent the Three Lions head coach is looking to prepare Trafford as the long-term successor to Pickford in the future.

Whether this is sensible if a situation was to arise with injuries to Pickford and/or Henderson for example - would Trafford be the next best in line to go between the sticks.

He has valuable competitive experience with the U21s winning the Euros a couple of years ago, but international football at a senior level is very different. Pope has played in big games for his club, such as the Carabao Cup final last term, while he was also part of the England squads for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar respectively.

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Ramsdale was part of the Euro 2024 squad but seeing as he is now Pope's understudy at Newcastle, his chances of making the squad are going to be hampered unless he can establish himself as the number one at St. James' Park.

On the one hand, I get the argument for bringing along the player you think will be England's long-term answer between the sticks, but then there is also a great argument for bringing along a seasoned professional who will be ready to step up if needed and can be someone that the younger members of the squad can lean towards.

At this moment in time, 5/4 seems like a good price to back the Magpies' first-choice shot-stopper to head to the World Cup in 2026.