This 2026 World Cup is a massive one for England. The Three Lions are still seeking their first World Cup title since 1966. This will be their first World Cup without Gareth Southgate on the touchline since 2014. While Southgate was never able to take England to the mountaintop, he brought them to the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022, in addition to two Euros finals in 2020 and 2024.
Thomas Tuchel is now in charge of the England team. It is the first time a non-Englishman has held the job since Fabio Capello left the role in 2012. Many fans hope Tuchel, who won a Champions League final, could take England that final step further to win a World Cup for the first time in 60 years. However, others worry that Southgate’s consistent, solid showings could come to an end under a new man in charge.
This England 2026 World Cup squad has a chance to become legends. However, Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer will not be part of that group. Here is a look at the projected full squad, with Maguire, Foden and Palmer officially out.
Projected Full Squad
Goalkeepers (3): Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders (9): Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), John Stones (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders (6): Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
Attackers (8): Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli)
Analysis
There are some massive decisions to be made by Thomas Tuchel for this World Cup squad. He already made some massive calls by leaving out Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, some of the most experienced players in the pool of guys hoping to be selected. That could be bad news for some of Gareth Southgate’s other old favorites. Tuchel is sending a message that he won’t keep bringing the same old group of players and hoping that something changes. That is why I am expecting Jordan Henderson, Luke Shaw and Conor Gallagher to be left at home as well. Those are some of Southgate’s favorite players, not just for the squad, but for the starting lineup in big tournaments.
This is a chance for Tuchel to try something new and call on the likes of Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall to step in and do a job. That doesn’t mean that some of the veterans of this squad, like Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Declan Rice and Harry Kane, won’t still provide the spine that the team needs. This is a very talented group, but only time will tell whether it can finally reach the mountaintop.
England World Cup 2026 Odds
The Three Lions are +650 to win the World Cup and are -320 to win Group L. England is hoping this could be the year that they break their 60-year drought of winning the biggest trophy in the sport.
