With around 1 year to go until the start of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, England are yet to confirm qualification, but will fully expect to be a part of the tournament as they experience their first major competition post-Southgate. With Thomas Tuchel having the first half of the year with his squad on a few occasions, he already has made some interesting decisions and drawn some criticism for his sides performances and playing style which some would argue has gone backwards since Southgate’s departure.

As his contract goes to the tournament, Tuchel’s performance with England will decide a lot on the future for him and the team generally, with a feeling that this squad should be competing until late into each and every competition now. As a result, there is much to be decided and debated between now and then, and we’re going early with a prediction as we put together the starting XI that we think will start for England at the World Cup in 2026 (providing qualification). Of course we can’t predict for any injuries or absences, but with everyone available at time of writing, we believe this will be the XI chosen by Tuchel to take England into the crucial tournament.

As always, if you have any thoughts on England’s World Cup squad for next summer, their chances at the tournament or any thoughts on the World Cup generally, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).

Goalkeeper: Pickford

While Dean Henderson has come closest to replacing Pickford between the sticks in the last season, there is also a new name in contention in James Trafford who looks destined to join Newcastle ahead of the new campaign which could leapfrog all those ahead in the race for the gloves at the World Cup. However, despite this competition that Tuchel has on offer, I think that for the 2026 tournament Pickford will be given his final tournament as England’s secure no.1.

With Pickford being 32 at the tournament, and with 75+ England caps to his name at time of recording, the Everton keeper isn’t at any major risk of losing his place unless one of the other aforementioned keepers has a world-beating campaign in 25/26, and even then it would likely be sensible for Tuchel not to make a dramatic late change to his no.1 choice in goal. With Pickford being a consistent performer for England at recent major tournaments, he will be playing regularly for Everton this season, and should do enough to keep the rivals at bay, for likely his final tournament with a guaranteed starting spot.

Defence: TAA, Stones, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly

In the back 4, we have a quite obvious selection in some regards, but with a bit of unpredictability thrown into the mix. I believe Tuchel will stay with the 4 at the back option, and this could perhaps lead some players to adapt slightly different roles than their club form, but still provides a strong foundation for England to build on.

Starting at right-back, and although he will be largely used as a wing-back under Xabi Alonso this season, I think Trent Alexander-Arnold has fully claimed his right-back position given the age of Kyle Walker and unpredictable fitness of Reece James. While James could be a strong contender for some games in the tournament with a stronger defensive capability than Trent, I think this year with the link up with Bellingham, this will become a partnership that works well for the national side, and with obvious abilities to push the ball forward and create chances, this will give England an attacking sense of play.

In the centre back roles, I think we will see the final tournament led by John Stones, who I can’t imagine dropping away in the next year as he will be a key fixture of City’s back line and surely this will mean he keeps his place. Alongside, I’ve gone for Marc Guehi who despite seeming to be out of favour in early England squads under Tuchel, will become even more experienced with a likely move to Liverpool or Newcastle on the cards this summer. As a result, we will see his leadership grow further and a confidence of playing European football this summer no matter if he leaves or remains at Palace. Waiting in the wings, I think Quansah will be a standout option after his move to Leverkusen, Dan Burn offers a specific style in the role and Colwill, Konsa and Chalobah could all stake a claim.

On the left back role, I’ve gone for my first rogue option in Myles Lewis-Skelly, chucked straight into the senior setup after skipping the U21 stages for England, he’s settled perfectly for club and country in the last year and I can only see this getting better as he also offers an ability to get forward and with a slight youthful confidence that often leads to success on the biggest stages. with TAA on the right and Lewis-Skelly on the left, I could also see a scenario where Rice drops into the back line to create a back 5, allowing for the 2 full backs to take on the more attacking play if needed. There are other contenders who could have a breakthrough year with Hall and Livramento among them, however I think this tournament will see an end to Shaw’s time with the squad given his injury record.

Midfield: Rice, Bellingham, Palmer

Arguably the midfield trio that fans have been calling for more than any other, I believe this tournament will finally see the midfield click together between Rice, Bellingham and Palmer. I think this will result again in some players doing a slightly different role for country than their club roles, but will work in the system with the players around.

Rice will likely be told to stay as the defensive option in the 3, opposite to what may happen this season with Arsenal. He’s done this in recent tournaments with great success as he becomes almost an additional centre back if needed which allows the full-backs to push higher. Meanwhile he can collect the ball from the keeper to give England a bypass straight to the midfield, or alternate with Stones who also loves to bring the ball out.

Bellingham will again be the one player England pin hopes on this tournament, and while he played his first season at Madrid in the attacking midfield role, I see Alonso utilising Bellingham as the typical ‘8’ in the midfield, being the connection between defence and attack, and having the energy to get up and down the pitch. While some will argue Bellingham’s best work is in an attacking sense, I think England will have enough firepower in the front line, that Bellingham should be instructed to be the quarter-back to attacking player, seeing more of the ball than anyone else and linking up to attacking wing-backs, spotting runs from the wingers or helping Kane with his hold up play.

In the no.10 role, I think Cole Palmer will have another stellar campaign which will make him undroppable for England. Playing through the centre, his occasional willingness to step wider, hold up the ball or turn provider for attacks will be a perfect complement to Bellingham and the front-line. It will be a big question to remove some of Bellingham’s attacking powers to play another no.10 instead, but Palmer could compete with anyone for that role, and as I predict a big season for him in 25/26, I think he may even become a key player for England to pin their hopes on.

While our selections are quite obvious picks, there could be a fair bit of competition in all areas. Wharton still remains my no.1 backup to Rice, and although Tuchel hasn’t seemed too keen on the Palace midfielder, I think he is destined for a huge career and will be utilised at points in place of Rice, or even alongside if England need to regain control of a game. There could be the obvious competition for the no.8 or no.10 roles depending on this upcoming season, with Curtis Jones, Eze, Rogers, Foden, Gallagher and Gibbs-White among those who have seen action in recent years, while the U21 squad showed Anderson, Elliott or McAtee could all make the step up. I would like to see Gomes and Mainoo brought back into the fold prior to the tournament as they are very useful in all aspects of the midfield, but that will largely depend on their club efforts.

Forwards: Saka, Kane, Foden

Again this selection might not shock people, but I believe this is England’s most likely options based on current feelings around these players, and while that might not match the form charts, I think after next season these will be the 3 main contenders to lead England into the tournament.

Saka I believe will remain one of the first names on the team sheet, with only injury and rotation keeping him out of the side in recent years. His season for Arsenal will once again be top quality I have no doubt, and while there will be players to compete for this spot, I can’t see anyone offering England the same output as Saka on such a consistent basis.

Harry Kane will be the first name on the team sheet, possibly for the final tournament as captain and starter in the central role, with possibly players this season putting a case for a final third rotation with the Bayern frontman. I think Kane will score goals no matter what, and although a lot of his game doesn’t always offer much, his clinical nature and composed performances are crucial for England’s success, with a final 30 minute substitution which will bring fresh legs and a new challenge for opposing defences.

Finally, the one spot I have questioned the most, with Foden playing off the left of the attack. While many have criticised this in the past, for keeping him out of the game at points, I think if he has a strong season next year he will be a starter in this role. I can’t see him playing through the middle as Palmer or Bellingham will likely have this, and if performances drop then I could see Eze, Rogers, Elliott or even Rashford getting in ahead of Foden, but I think most people would agree he needs to be involved, and this could be the way to do it, before switching things up around the half-time point if needed.

Waiting in the wings are several options for these spots, with Bowen, Rashford, Eze, Rogers, Watkins, Maddison, Gibbs-White, McAtee, Elliott, Gordon, Madueke and more potentially able to play these roles. It will again be one of the big decisions made by Tuchel, but we must remember that in a tournament you need more than 11 players to get through the whole thing.

Don’t forget to share your predicted XI with us over on our social media platforms (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin – YouTube @NextGoalWinner), and also if you think there could be any extra additions to the squad by the time the tournament rolls around then let us know who you think might be involved.