Having heartbreakingly lost 2-1 to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, England fans’ thoughts now turn to the USA and how the Three Lions will perform at the 2026 World Cup finals. Could this be the tournament that turns the sentiment behind the ‘Football’s Coming Home‘ song from a dream to a reality? There’s no doubt that we have the talent, but do we have the application, and what sort of a fist is Thomas Tuchel going to make of his job as the new England team manager?
Questions like, will Jude Bellingham still be in form? – and Will Harry Kane be past his best? – are just two of the many considerations. What final England World Cup lineup will Tuchel gamble on, and more to the point – what 11 will you bet on in the hopes of the lads bringing the trophy home? To give you the best chance of making a little money, strategic betting expert Kate Richardson suggests that using the insights from a top sports betting blog and review site like MightyTips will aid your cause.
The England World Cup roster will consist of 26 players in all. Let’s take a look at which 26 might fit the bill, starting with the goalkeepers:
Goalkeepers For the England 2026 World Cup Squad
- Henderson, Dean
- Pickford, Jordan
- Ramsdale, Aaron
Jordan Pickford is still the pick of the bunch when it comes to keeping goal for England. He is one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet, and at 30, he should still be in his goalkeeping prime come 2026. But, at only 26 and 27, Ramsdale and Henderson, respectively, are more than capable alternatives.
Full-Backs in the 2026 England World Cup Roster
- Arnold, Trent Alexander
- Chilwell, Ben
- James, Reece
- Lewis, Rico
With the failure of the experiment to play Trent Alexander in a midfield role, the Liverpool full-back is likely to play in the full-back role for England at the 2026 World Cup. With Walker and Trippier being over the hill when the finals come around and Luke Shaw being so injury-prone, other likely candidates are Chilwell, if he can recapture his form, and Reece, who has excellent wingback credentials.
But spare a thought for Rico Lewis. At only 20 years old, he is one of the brightest prospects and has already acquitted himself well in England’s recent game against North Macedonia. As ex-Spurs player and once-England Manager Glen Hoddle said, “It’s the quality he gives you. It’s a 9 out of 10 when he plays in those positions (defence, midfield, or wide flank) every game. You’re normally waiting for a 28-year-old for that.” Lewis is also rated as one of the best upcoming young players he’s ever seen by Man City boss Pep Guardiola.
Centre-Backs in the 2026 World Cup Line-Up
- Colwill, Levi
- Guehi, Marc
- Stones, John
- Jarrad Branthwaite
- Gomez, Joe
John Stones will have just turned 32 by the time the World Cup finals kick off in the USA, and subject to remaining free from injury, he is the likeliest choice for one of the two centre-back positions. Gomez and Guehi are also strong candidates, especially the latter after his excellent performance in Germany. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Branthwaite, especially if he moves on from Everton.
Central Midfield Players for the World Cup England Team 2026
- Bellingham, Jude
- Mainoo, Kobbie
- Rice, Declan
- Gallagher, Conor
If both can maintain their form, Bellingham and Rice are almost dead certs. Also, by 2026, Mainoo could cement a position if he continues to achieve the levels of play we have thus far witnessed. Gallagher can also be considered a serious candidate, but we shouldn’t rule James Maddison out of the frame. He has been struggling to find form recently, but if he does, he is one of the best creative midfielders around.
Attacking Forwards/Midfielders in England’s 2026 World Cup Squad
- Elliott, Harvey
- Archie Gray
- Foden, Phil
- Sancho, Jordan
- Saka, Bukayo
- Palmer, Cole
Cole Palmer has really come into the limelight at Chelsea, and his dribbling and passing skills are now renowned. Phil Foden will surely be in the 26, as will Bukayo Saka. Another consideration is Jadon Sancho. Having been on the sidelines at Manchester United for most of the season. He seems to have found a new lease on life on loan at Chelsea. Another exciting prospect is Archie Gray. Son of Addie Gray, the famous Leeds Utd winger of yesteryear. He can also play as a wing-back and could lend much-needed versatility to the 26-man squad.
Strikers for the 2026 England World Cup Lineup
- Kane, Harry
- Rashford, Marcus
- Toney, Ivan
- Watkins, Ollie
One of the biggest question marks at the time of writing concerns Harry Kane. While he is England’s all-time top goal-scorer, he has come in for a lot of criticism for not performing in major matches. Yet, with his undoubted goal-scoring prowess and amazing passing ability, surely he has to be in the squad, even if it is in the role of playmaker. If he does come on as a playmaker, between them, Rashford, Toney, and Watkins are all suitable replacements in the England World Cup lineup.
The Odds If You’re Considering Betting on the England 2026 World Cup Squad to Win the Trophy
The composition of the England forward line for the 2026 World Cup is one of the hottest debates, not only among football enthusiasts but with online betting fanatics, too. At the time of writing, the odds quoted by Bet365, one of the biggest online sportsbooks, are 7/4 on England winning all 8 of their World Cup qualifying matches.
When he was asked by the BBC about England’s chances of winning Group K, where they will face Albania, Andorra, Latvia, and Serbia, Thomas Tuchel said, “I don’t see it as a given. The gap closes more and more between the big nations and the small nations. So we have to earn our place, and we have to earn our top spot.” A touch disingenuous? We certainly hope so.
As far as bringing home the trophy itself is concerned, expert betting strategist Kate Richardson reports that the odds for England are 7 to 1. They’re in second place behind Brazil, whose odds of claiming the trophy are 6 to 1. Of course, between now and June 2026, there’s plenty of time for that all to change.
