The pain of fifty-eight years. Another heartbreaking conclusion. Following the humiliating 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, that was the conclusion of England’s most recent competition. It appeared as though the Three Lions would finally get their chance to shine after their defeat to Italy in a penalty shootout three years earlier. Unfortunately, it was not intended to be.
Even though the first reaction for England and its supporters would have been one of sour disappointment, Euro 2024 nonetheless had many pleasant aspects. Nine new internationals participated in their debut tournament, and many of them have very promising futures with the national team. With the 2026 World Cup in North America being their next destination, it suggests that the Three Lions may have some extremely exciting years ahead of them.
There are countless options for who could secure a starting position because so many new players have emerged since the last World Cup. Players who aren’t yet well-known to the public might show up in time for a call-up. Or perhaps the familiar faces will reappear. By the time the German captain leads the Three Lions out, there may have been numerous changes made as they attempt to make the wait of 60 years worthwhile under Thomas Tuchel’s leadership.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford, who has held onto the number one shirt with relative ease since his debut clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with Germany back in November 2017, starts the XI from the back. He may have played his best football while wearing the colours of England, and he has hardly let his country down since. The young Sunderland player was outstanding in his first major competition, contributing significantly to the Three Lions’ 2018 World Cup campaign. He helped his team defeat Colombia 4–3 on penalties to earn the country’s first World Cup penalty shootout victory and a trip to the quarterfinals, where he also recorded his first tournament clean sheet and was named man of the match.
Since then, he has improved steadily, starting every game since the campaign in Russia and become England’s most-capped goalkeeper in major competitions. When 2026 arrives, the Everton number one will still be in his prime, and there’s no reason to think he won’t start.
While Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Southampton hasn’t rekindled his career as he may have hoped, other contenders like Dean Henderson and Nick Pope appear destined to serve as backups. James Trafford is a promising young player who might be considered by 2026 after helping England win the under-21 European Championships in the summer of 2023 and becoming the first custodian in history to go the entire tournament without giving up a goal. However, he might have to wait for his chance to replace Pickford.
The right-back, Recee James
Under Southgate, the Three Lions have had an abundance of options at right-back, as a number of gifted players are vying for the same spot. In recent years, Kyle Walker has been the more reliable option to take his place, with Kieran Trippier of Newcastle frequently filling in. However, Trippier’s form has drastically declined since Euro 2024, and Walker has retired from international competition.
After what would probably be the last tournament for the former partnership, Chelsea’s Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold will have to compete for the starting position. The Liverpool player was added to the Euro 2024 team, however he was benched after starting the first two games as a midfielder. Additionally, he was injured and missed Tuchel’s first team, which gave his competitor an opportunity to take advantage of it.
He capitalised. Many supporters demanded that Tuchel start James next summer after he scored a goal in his first appearance in England colours since 2022. It is evident that the German, who had previously worked with the defender at Chelsea, has no problem doing so. Don’t discount Ben White either; he more than deserves a spot on this squad but was prevented from doing so during Southgate’s tenure due to his obvious problems with the St George’s Park backroom staff.
Centre-Back
John Stones
Taking his place in the heart of defence is John Stones, a magnificent defender who fits right in. Stones, who has previously played in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, will be among the most seasoned players in this XI with 83 appearances in white. Since Harry Maguire, his usual partner, was injured and missed Euro 2024, he was given much greater responsibilities.
His defensive solidity, change of foot, and ball-playing genius from the back are what earn him a spot in this squad, but the 2026 event will probably be his final World Cup because he will be 32 by then.
The Barnsley youngster has never looked back since he moved from Everton in 2016 for £47.5 million, making him the second most expensive defender in history. Although injuries and subpar play hindered Stones’ prospects of making the first team during his first two seasons in Sky Blue, he has since persevered and established himself as a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s squad—that is, if he can stay healthy. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2020–21 Premier League season for his defensive centre performances. However, a brilliant midfield move in the 2022–23 season saw the Englishman play a crucial part in Citizens’ historic treble and their first Champions League trophy, earning him a spot in the tournament’s Champions League team.
Centre-back
Guehi Marc
Even though England advanced to the final last summer, their performances were not that impressive. But Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace was one player who could hold his head high. As soon as it became apparent that Maguire wouldn’t be able to play, the 24-year-old was thrown into the starting lineup, but you wouldn’t have suspected it given how calm the defender always appeared on the pitch.
Guehi established his claim for a future starting XI spot by playing flawlessly during the summer. Many questioned the Three Lions’ depth at centre-back, but with the Eagles star’s performance and the addition of Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa, it appears like the vacuum left by Maguire and Stones may be readily covered in the years to come.
Left-Back
Lewis-Skelly, Myles
Nobody would have been cheering for Myles Lewis-Skelly to be included to the World Cup squad right after Euro 2024 ended. That demonstrates how swiftly the football scene can evolve. Despite starting both of Tuchel’s first games and even scoring in his debut against Albania, the adolescent only made his debut for Arsenal in the 2024–2025 season.
In what was a vulnerable position for England, his ability to drift inside and also break in behind the opposition defence was visually appealing and strengthened his credentials going forward. Luke Shaw is the obvious top pick when healthy, although he has only made three appearances since the Euro 2024 championship game. Tino Livramento is better suited to the opposing wing, Rico Lewis hasn’t made waves when given the chance, and Ben Chilwell doesn’t seem to have any place on the team. Lewis-Skelly has every opportunity to solidify that position for many years to come.
Centre-Midfield
Declan Rice
Declan Rice, who now plays in the base of midfield, has already earned over 50 caps for his nation since his 2019 debut and is expected to earn many more in the years to come. By 2026, the Arsenal player will still only be 27 years old and starting his prime playing years. He was one of the world’s top midfielders going into Euro 2024.
If he avoids injury, the upcoming World Cup will probably be his fourth appearance for the Three Lions, who have already participated in three big championships. Rice will undoubtedly make this squad and may possibly end up as captain because he is a reliable ball carrier with exceptional quickness and defensive prowess. Who partners him is a more difficult decision, though, as has already been the case.
Midfield Centre
Bellingham, Jude
Bellingham, Jude. That’s pretty much all that has to be said about this next pick, since his 2026 partnership with Declan Rice is virtually guaranteed. It seems odd to suggest that Bellingham, who is only 21 years old, could be the world’s best all-around midfield player, but he most likely is. It seemed a bit dramatic at the time when his boyhood club, Birmingham City, retired his shirt number when he left for Borussia Dortmund in July 2020, but it doesn’t feel that way now that the Stourbridge native is a phenomenon in Spain.
At the age of 20, he made his ideal transfer to Real Madrid, where he has since won the Champions League and La Liga titles. Los Blancos paid more than 100 million euros to bring him to the Bernabeu. During England’s 2024 run, he also scored twice, including one of the best bicycle kicks in football history. After the last loss, his emotions overcame him, but supporters know he has the mentality to bounce back even stronger.
Although Bellingham has started both of Tuchel’s games as a number 10, it may come as a surprise that we have chosen to insert him into the midfield pivot rather than players like Curtis Jones and Kobbie Mainoo. The German might believe Bellingham has the freedom to drop deeper to make room for other stars, though, once he has a completely fit group of players to pick from.
Attacking-Midfield
Cole Palmer
Phil Foden isn’t there at the ten. Cole Palmer is here. The Chelsea player, who may have been annoyed at playing such a little part in the competition, especially while other players were doing poorly in the more advanced areas, scored the goal that tied the score in the Euro final versus Spain.
Because of how captivating the offensive midfielder was after moving to Stamford Bridge, he was awarded the 2023–24 England Player of the Year. Tuchel will undoubtedly love working with a player like him. Why would he be chosen above Phil Foden, who essentially prevented him from playing for Manchester City? The answer is straightforward: Palmer is in good condition and does not appear to be suffering from the international hangover that his old teammate has. Why not start over and allow another aspiring superstar to shine brightly instead of attempting to solve an issue that keeps coming up?
Right-Winger Saka Bukayo
Moving on to the attackers and the last third of the field, the right side of the forward line is another position that now appears to be dominated by a single individual. With 40 caps since his debut in October 2020, Bukayo Saka, who is only 23 years old, is already among the first names on the team sheet for his club, Arsenal, and is quickly becoming so for his nation as well. By the time the 2026 tournament rolls around, Saka will probably be playing in his fourth major event at the age of just 24, joining his clubmate Rice and Bellingham in this group of young players who have already participated in three at such a young age for England.
Saka is a jack of all trades and one of the best wingers in the world because of his speed and directness, which intimidate any defender he confronts down the right-hand side. He can cut inside, go down the outside, shoot, cross, or pass. The starboy has done a fantastic job of moving past the penalty miss at Euro 2020, even though it will always be with him. At Euro 2024, he faced fierce competition from players like Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen, but Southgate remained loyal to his man, who developed throughout the competition. He has probably solidified his spot on the squad, at least for the remainder of the decade, not only for 2026.
The Left-Winger
Gordon, Anthony
Tuchel has stated that he wants speed on either side of his number nine, which seems to rule out Phil Foden playing on the left flank, as he did at Euro 2024. Given that Foden was extremely unimpressive when he was obliged to retain the width and was not allowed to drift inside, where he poses a greater threat, this wouldn’t be a huge concern for most fans.
Marcus Rashford had the opportunity to play for his country for the first time in a year due to the expectations of the new manager. He started both games but did not perform well, even being singled out after the victory over Albania. Although he still has time to improve, given the requirements to play wide and his previous Three Lions performances, a certain Magpie is the safest pick.
Fans were left wondering why Southgate never gave Anthony Gordon an opportunity on the left flank to use his lightning-fast speed to get in behind the striker, especially as Kane was dropping deep all the time last summer. Tuchel has already indicated that he wants players who would attempt to sneak behind the opposition’s defenders, so why not give Gordon a chance to prove himself in a position where he would undoubtedly thrive?
Striker
Harry Kane
At Euro 2024, Harry Kane did not look like himself, if we are being totally honest. It was obvious that the renowned number nine was unfit and not playing at his best. It wasn’t the perfect combination for Southgate, especially when you add in his need to get on the ball even if there were no willing runners taking advantage of the space he left.
Some speculated that the England captain may lose favour by 2026 as a result. Kane, however, remained a constant presence after last summer and scored in the first two games under his old Bayern Munich manager after criticising some of his teammates for lacking the same commitment to playing for their nation.
Liam Delap might be a future option, but Ollie Watkins would probably be next in line. On the other hand, it’s difficult to dispute that Kane will be secure in his position throughout the course of the next 18 months.
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