rewrite this title England’s World Cup 2026 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?

England have only one more camp before Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the 2026 World Cup, and plenty is still up in the air.

England dominated Group K in Uefa qualifying to book their place at next summer’s World Cup, winning all eight games without conceding a goal.

Tuchel has picked a 35-man group for this month’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, after which he will have just a few weeks to finalise his group to take to USA, Canada and Mexico in June.

The manager has made clear that he wants to build a squad with clearly defined roles, and two players for every position on the pitch, plus a third goalkeeper and three versatile outfield players to round out the 26. He sees his midfield comprising a No 6, a No 8 and No 10 and wants each player to know their specific role in the side.

But despite Tuchel’s attempts to create clarity, there remain major questions over the full-back positions, the composition of midfield and the plethora of wingers and No 10s to whittle down – with some big names likely to miss out.

So who will Tuchel select in his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup?

On the plane

Jordan Pickford: The Everton keeper was Gareth Southgate’s No 1 and has maintained top spot under Thomas Tuchel, with an impressive season for his club.

Dean Henderson: The Crystal Palace goalkeeper is set to be Pickford’s back-up.

John Stones: The Manchester City defender remains England’s leading centre-back and, if he is fit, Stones will play a crucial role at the World Cup.

Marc Guehi: The City defender lined up alongside Stones at last year’s Euros and remains his most likely partner next summer, having moved to the Etihad in January.

Ezri Konsa: The Aston Villa centre-back appears to have cemented his place as one of Tuchel’s most reliable options, having played more minutes under the German manager than any other defender.

Elliot Anderson: Tuchel has made clear that Anderson is the leading candidate to play in England’s holding role position.

Declan Rice: Part of Tuchel’s leadership group and will be essential to any success at the World Cup in England’s box-to-box No 8 position.

Jude Bellingham: The Real Madrid man has won back his place in the England squad, although there remains tension with the manager. Yet England need their best players firing to have any chance of winning the World Cup, and Bellingham is undoubtedly one of them.

Bukayo Saka: The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is under a little bit of pressure to refind his best form for Arsenal, but will certainly be in the squad and is the most likely starter on England’s right wing this summer.

Anthony Gordon: The Newcastle winger is in pole position to start on the left wing, and has regularly featured there for Tuchel so far. He missed November’s internationals with injury.

Harry Kane: It is easy to forget that plenty of pundits and fans wanted Kane dropped for the Euro 2024 final. He has been phenomenal ever since, and the big question now about England’s captain is whether he can translate his sensational club form at Bayern Munich into dominating a major international tournament.

Almost there

Aaron Ramsdale: Looks to have regained his place as England’s third-choice goalkeeper, but needs to maintain club form for Newcastle to secure his place.

Reece James: Tuchel adores the Chelsea captain and there is no doubt James will be at the World Cup if he is fit, most likely as the starting right-back. But his fitness in itself is such an uncertainty that he doesn’t make our on-the-plane list, yet.

Tino Livramento: The Newcastle full-back is liked by Tuchel and his ability to play both sides adds to his appeal.

Dan Burn: Burn is a popular and well-respected squad player who adds something different with his towering physical presence. He is currently Tuchel’s fourth choice at centre-back behind Stones, Guehi and Konsa, but faces competition from Harry Maguire.

Nico O’Reilly: The Manchester City left-back was excellent in November’s World Cup qualifiers after impressing under Pep Guardiola this season, and his two-goal show in the Carabao Cup final will only help his chances of making the final squad.

Lewis Hall: The defender has been outstanding for Newcastle this season and is well-placed to make the World Cup squad.

Jordan Henderson: Henderson has been a regular inclusion by Tuchel during qualifying and it is likely he will be in the squad as the back-up to Anderson in the No 6 role, if he can maintain good form for Brentford this season.

Adam Wharton: The Crystal Palace midfielder was something of a surprise inclusion by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024 but has since established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, with the ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker as well as in a box-to-box role. He played in November’s match against Albania as the No 6.

Morgan Rogers: Tuchel has turned to Rogers in Bellingham’s absence during qualifying, and the Villa midfielder looks poised to earn a place in the squad as an option at No 10.

Cole Palmer: It seems incredible not to list Palmer on the plane, but the sheer intensity of competition for places in the No 10 slot makes his position uncertain. Bellingham, Rogers, Foden and Eze can all play in that role, while Saka and Madueke appear likely to be first-choice options on the right flank. Palmer will most probably be at the World Cup, but Tuchel has made no guarantees and has raised concerns about his groin injury.

Phil Foden: Foden is another in the Palmer bracket where it seems bizarre that he wouldn’t be at a major tournament for England, and yet the City midfielder has barely featured under Tuchel so far and has lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s team. He did well in the November internationals, though, where Tuchel tried him as a false nine.

Noni Madueke: Madueke is Saka’s deputy at Arsenal and should fill the same role for England, having performed well in September’s thrashing of Serbia.

Marcus Rashford: Goals and assists for Barcelona have pushed Rashford’s cause and Tuchel likes him, although the manager has also had cautionary words about wasting his talent. Rashford’s versatility, able to cover both wing and striker should Kane need it, helps his selection cause.

Work to do

Ben White: Back in the fold for the first time since leaving the World Cup in Qatar, Tuchel is now seriously considering White as a right-back option.

Harry Maguire: Back in the squad this month after strong form for Manchester United, but faces a fight with Burn for what will likely be the fourth and final centre-back berth in North America.

Djed Spence: Much like Livramento, Tuchel likes that Spence has experience playing both full-back roles for his club, Tottenham. But it may be that only one of the two full-backs goes to the World Cup, and Livramento has enjoyed a better season with his club.

Jarell Quansah: The Leverkusen defender made his long-awaited debut in November’s World Cup qualifiers and could take one of the fringe spots in the squad.

Kobbie Mainoo: Back in the squad after strong performances for a rejuvenated Manchester United under Michael Carrick.

Eberechi Eze: Tuchel has spoken in glowing terms about Eze as a player who offers something different, creatively, from players like Bellingham and Rogers. His ability to play wide and as a No 10 will be a useful asset in the squad, although he still faces huge competition for a spot.

Jarrod Bowen: The West Ham captain seems to be third choice on the right wing behind Saka and Madueke, but his league form is excellent and he has a chance of squeezing onto the plane. Bowen’s ability to play as No 9 could also play in his favour, if Tuchel decides not to take a back-up striker.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: An impressive goalscoring campaign for Leeds has seen Calvert-Lewin push himself into the reckoning. He may be the most likely option to travel as Kane’s deputy.

Dominic Solanke: Is in the squad for March, but the Tottenham striker needs a strong finish to the season to be England’s back-up No 9.

Outside bets

James Trafford: Included in England’s March squad, but the goalkeeper’s lack of game time for Manchester City this season may see him miss out on the World Cup.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Tuchel loves the Arsenal full-back, but he has barely featured for the Gunners this season, with Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie both preferred by Mikel Arteta – which cost him his place in November’s squad.

Trevoh Chalobah: A badly timed injury playing in the Champions League for Chelsea may scupper Chalobah’s hopes of making the World Cup.

Fikayo Tomori: The AC Milan defender is back in the squad for March, but faces stiff competition for a centre-back place.

Luke Shaw: Didn’t make the March squad, with Hall and O’Reilly preferred as left-back options.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Tuchel has been frank about his preference for James and Livramento in the pecking order at right-back, hinting at concerns about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive concentration. Time seems to have run out for the Real Madrid defender to win back his place.

Morgan Gibbs-White: Another player given minutes by Tuchel but who is set to be edged out by the sheer number of options in central roles.

James Garner: In the squad for this month’s internationals, but the Everton midfielder is unlikely to make the final 26 unless injuries strike.

Ollie Watkins: A sluggish start to the Premier League season saw Watkins left out of the squad for November’s internationals. The Aston Villa striker was decisive at Euro 2024, but has he now lost his place as Kane’s deputy?

Predicted England squad for 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Pickford, D Henderson, Ramsdale.

Defenders: James, Livramento, Stones, Guehi, Konsa, Burn, Quansah, Hall, O’Reilly.

Midfielders: Anderson, J Henderson, Wharton, Rice, Bellingham, Rogers.

Forwards: Saka, Madueke, Palmer, Foden, Gordon, Rashford.

Strikers: Kane, Calvert-Lewin.