World Cup 2026
- Thread starter Baldrick's Cunning Plan
- Start date
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I'll watch us right through the World Cup irrespective of where it's held or who's backyard it's being held in.Football and politics,not for me.
O.K,Tuchel has p!ssed about a bit too much in the friendlies for my liking but he's now charged with putting players out on the field who can cut it at this level and we've got them,he just needs to motivate and get the best out of them,that's what he's paid for and it's up to him to show us he's worthy of the wage.
This is England,we're Football supporters,we support our Team...
O.K,Tuchel has p!ssed about a bit too much in the friendlies for my liking but he's now charged with putting players out on the field who can cut it at this level and we've got them,he just needs to motivate and get the best out of them,that's what he's paid for and it's up to him to show us he's worthy of the wage.
This is England,we're Football supporters,we support our Team...
If fans didn't boycott watching the games held in Qatar and Russia, despite all the politics and views contrary to those in the west, it's unlikely they'll boycott games held in the US for being overpriced.
That’s not a great squad is it
Harry is going to get shown up if he plays cenner back
It has been a messy, unstructured camp for Thomas Tuchel as he finalises his preparations for the World Cup. Marc Guéhiwore the captain’s armband during the loss to Japan and is emerging as the senior centre-back. Elsewhere, though? There are more questions than answers. John Stonesgoes if he can prove his fitness, but there can be no guarantees with the centre-back after his latest injury. Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford did not play well against Japan and Uruguay, but lack rivals on the left wing. Jordan Henderson was poor against Uruguay, but his leadership is prized by Tuchel as he looks to build a brotherhood. Dean Henderson looks like the No 2 goalkeeper. Morgan Rogers has credit in the bank after a strong end to 2025. But this is going to be a short section; the squad is not in a good place.
Harry Kane (right) is a guaranteed pick, but Phil Foden failed to shine as a false 9 in the captain’s absence. Photograph: Robin Jones/Getty Images
Noni Madueke is popular with Thomas Tuchel, but must overcome a knee injury. Photograph: David Balogh/FA/Getty Images
Cole Palmer continues to look short of sharpness after injury. Photograph: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock
There is a lot of flux. Dan Burn seems to be in competition with Harry Maguire in central defence. Tuchel has said Maguire is behind several other centre-backs, but he played well against Uruguay and was a threat at set pieces after coming on against Japan. Trevoh Chalobah offers more mobility, but is injured.
The defensive situation is unconvincing and it is hard to separate the full-backs. Nico O’Reilly has had a fine season, but still has a lot to learn at left-back. Lewis Hallwas positive after coming on against Japan, but the Newcastle left-back is not a starter yet. Jarell Quansah withdrew with injury, but has been praised by Tuchel; Tino Livramento did not convince against Uruguay. Djed Spence can play on both flanks and offers raw speed. He is no Kyle Walker, though.
Is the depth there? Tuchel had a look at a lot of new faces. James Garner had an encouraging debut in midfield against Uruguay. Adam Wharton’s contribution was less enthusiastically received by his manager. As for a wild-card pick, that would be Arsenal’s 16-year-old attacker Max Dowman. It seems outlandish, but Tuchel likes to be bold. Also keep an eye on Tottenham’s versatile young midfielder Archie Gray. The Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott will also hope to prove Tuchel was wrong to drop him.
The 16-year-old Max Dowman would be a wild-card pick for Thomas Tuchel, who likes to be bold. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
White’s inclusion was odd. He had not been in the squad since his early departure from the 2022 World Cup. He was booed by the crowd, scored a tap-in and conceded a clumsy penalty against Uruguay and struggled against Japan. He is not a regular for Arsenal and not worth the fuss.
Another Arsenal player unlikely to go is Myles Lewis-Skelly, who will pay for a lack of games, while the Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori did not do enough against Uruguay and was sent home early.
In goal, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele and Nick Pope look reliant on injuries. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has had an injury-hit season and probably needs to target Euro 2028. Tuchel appears to have made his mind up on Dominic Calvert-Lewin after assessing the Leeds striker. Ivan Toney, the Al-Ahli forward, has not played for Englandsince June.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is gifted enough to play for Real Madrid, but has not convinced Thomas Tuchel of his value. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
Tuchel has cooled on the Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kobbie Mainoomay well have played himself out of contention with a pedestrian performance in midfield against Japan. The Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has an outside chance, but needs others to drop out. Mason Mount is a Tuchel favourite, but his time has passed. The Chelsea striker Liam Delap has had a frustrating season and Jack Grealish is injured. Curtis Jones and Conor Gallagher have no chance in midfield.
Harry is going to get shown up if he plays cenner back
On the plane
Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed No 1. Harry Kane is irreplaceable up front. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson look certain to start in midfield, nobody has emerged as a realistic challenger to Bukayo Saka on the right and Jude Bellingham’s hopes of grabbing the No 10 spot were done a world of good by other challengers failing to impress against Japan and Uruguay.It has been a messy, unstructured camp for Thomas Tuchel as he finalises his preparations for the World Cup. Marc Guéhiwore the captain’s armband during the loss to Japan and is emerging as the senior centre-back. Elsewhere, though? There are more questions than answers. John Stonesgoes if he can prove his fitness, but there can be no guarantees with the centre-back after his latest injury. Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford did not play well against Japan and Uruguay, but lack rivals on the left wing. Jordan Henderson was poor against Uruguay, but his leadership is prized by Tuchel as he looks to build a brotherhood. Dean Henderson looks like the No 2 goalkeeper. Morgan Rogers has credit in the bank after a strong end to 2025. But this is going to be a short section; the squad is not in a good place.
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View image in fullscreenHarry Kane (right) is a guaranteed pick, but Phil Foden failed to shine as a false 9 in the captain’s absence. Photograph: Robin Jones/Getty Images
In the departure lounge
Ezri Konsa had a poor game against Japan but the centre-back has been solid under Tuchel. Reece James is out with a hamstring injury and is in a race to return in time for the World Cup, but the Chelsea defender has not seen anyone step up as a realistic alternative at right-back. James Trafford will be confident of going as the No 3 goalkeeper. Missing this camp with a calf injury has probably been beneficial to Eberechi Eze, who offers unpredictability in attacking midfield. Noni Madueke is another Arsenal forward in Tuchel’s good books, although he is has a knee injury.
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View image in fullscreenNoni Madueke is popular with Thomas Tuchel, but must overcome a knee injury. Photograph: David Balogh/FA/Getty Images
Hoping for a ticket
This month’s auditions have mostly gone badly. Cole Palmer was lively against Uruguay, but insipid against Japan and still looks short of sharpness. Phil Fodendeputised as a false 9 with Kane missing, but continues to look uncomfortable and may sneak in simply because the competition is not that strong. After all, Tuchel did not start the West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen in either friendly. Dominic Solanke was persistent, but ineffective against Uruguay; Ollie Watkins was not in this squad, but proved his worth as a Kane stand-in at Euro 2024. Danny Welbeck, meanwhile, has probably benefited from not being in this squad. The Brighton forward was unlucky not to be involved.
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View image in fullscreenCole Palmer continues to look short of sharpness after injury. Photograph: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock
There is a lot of flux. Dan Burn seems to be in competition with Harry Maguire in central defence. Tuchel has said Maguire is behind several other centre-backs, but he played well against Uruguay and was a threat at set pieces after coming on against Japan. Trevoh Chalobah offers more mobility, but is injured.
The defensive situation is unconvincing and it is hard to separate the full-backs. Nico O’Reilly has had a fine season, but still has a lot to learn at left-back. Lewis Hallwas positive after coming on against Japan, but the Newcastle left-back is not a starter yet. Jarell Quansah withdrew with injury, but has been praised by Tuchel; Tino Livramento did not convince against Uruguay. Djed Spence can play on both flanks and offers raw speed. He is no Kyle Walker, though.
Is the depth there? Tuchel had a look at a lot of new faces. James Garner had an encouraging debut in midfield against Uruguay. Adam Wharton’s contribution was less enthusiastically received by his manager. As for a wild-card pick, that would be Arsenal’s 16-year-old attacker Max Dowman. It seems outlandish, but Tuchel likes to be bold. Also keep an eye on Tottenham’s versatile young midfielder Archie Gray. The Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott will also hope to prove Tuchel was wrong to drop him.
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View image in fullscreenThe 16-year-old Max Dowman would be a wild-card pick for Thomas Tuchel, who likes to be bold. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
On the sofa
Not tired with the Trent Alexander-Arnolddebate yet? It is perverse England can continue to overlook such a gifted footballer, but here we are. Tuchel keeps overlooking the Real Madrid right-back and has picked others in front of him, including Ben White, who somehow ended up as Arsenal’s most committed England man by the end of the camp.White’s inclusion was odd. He had not been in the squad since his early departure from the 2022 World Cup. He was booed by the crowd, scored a tap-in and conceded a clumsy penalty against Uruguay and struggled against Japan. He is not a regular for Arsenal and not worth the fuss.
Another Arsenal player unlikely to go is Myles Lewis-Skelly, who will pay for a lack of games, while the Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori did not do enough against Uruguay and was sent home early.
In goal, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele and Nick Pope look reliant on injuries. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has had an injury-hit season and probably needs to target Euro 2028. Tuchel appears to have made his mind up on Dominic Calvert-Lewin after assessing the Leeds striker. Ivan Toney, the Al-Ahli forward, has not played for Englandsince June.
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View image in fullscreenTrent Alexander-Arnold is gifted enough to play for Real Madrid, but has not convinced Thomas Tuchel of his value. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters
Tuchel has cooled on the Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kobbie Mainoomay well have played himself out of contention with a pedestrian performance in midfield against Japan. The Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has an outside chance, but needs others to drop out. Mason Mount is a Tuchel favourite, but his time has passed. The Chelsea striker Liam Delap has had a frustrating season and Jack Grealish is injured. Curtis Jones and Conor Gallagher have no chance in midfield.
Predicted squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford. Defenders:Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Lewis Hall, Reece James, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento. Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, James Garner, Morgan Rogers. Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck.
I always look at other nations and how many truly world class players they have.
Spain has one in nearly every position, ditto Germany and France.
England have, in my opinion, Saka, Bellingham, Rice and Kane.
Saka has two more years left in him before his beef jerky hamstrings give way and then it’s a loan move to Everton or Fulham. He’s not world class and never has been, in my opinion. It’s more like Kane and maybe Bellingham.
I dunno I think Rice is up there with the best in his position.
Great box-to-box midfielder. Powerful runner who can score goals and put a shift in defensively but world class? I’m not sure. We all saw him hiding behind Man City’s press like a statue in the League Cup final instead of showing for the ball. A world class player like Vitinha or Pedri drops deep to make something happen and counteract Man City’s press.
He does a job but his limitations put him below world class, in my opinion. I know he’s not the same type of midfielder as Vitinha, Pedri or Rodri but a world class midfielder needs to be elite receiving the ball under pressure and he just isn’t. He’s an elite ball-carrier, can score goals, break up play etc. but if you want him to receive the ball in his own third under pressure, he’s average at best. Even Caicedo, who is considered to be a pure ball-winner, looks more comfortable receiving the ball deep and making smart forward passes.
He doesn’t have what the Spaniards call ‘La Pausa’. In fact, few of England’s midfielders barring Wharton do.
Ian Dury back in my day
