The Best England Squad for the 2026 World Cup 

With the 35 Man England squad announcement for the Japan and Uruguay warm up games, we decided to look at who should actually make the plane. 

There were a couple of glaring omissions from the initial squad, such as Real Madrid’s Trent-Alexander Arnold. Though it remains to be seen if he will be brought into the fold later down the line. 

There were also some more surprising inclusions such as Everton’s James Garner and Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke. 

When deciding who makes the plane, it is important to consider several factors, experience, talent and form being three key ones. 

So without further ado, lets get stuck in. 

 

Who Should be on the Plane? 

 

Goalkeepers: 

• Jordan Pickford – Still England’s best keeper. Plays out of his socks in the England top and has been great for Everton this season. Also, a true vocal leader. 
• James Trafford – Despite not getting regular playing time, I still believe he is England’s 2nd best goalkeeper. Also feels nice to have a tall one in the squad for a change. Seems to work for everyone else.  
• Dean Henderson – England’s 3rd best. Been solid all season where the likes of Ramsdale and Pope just haven’t been good enough. 

 

Defenders: 

• Lewis Hall – England’s best left back by a country mile and probably the best in the league. Has been on a different level this season. 
• Reece James – One of, if not the, best right back in the world. A true leader at the back and elite going forward. 
• Trent Alexander-Arnold – Despite not being named in Tuchel’s initial 35, Trent offers something not many players in world football can offer. Could be very useful against low-blocks or compact defences. 
• Nico O’Reilly – Been electric this season for City and seems mature beyond his years. Plays with a fearlessness which could translate very well to international football. Can also play in the holding midfield role.
• Tino Livramento – Quick, powerful and solid fundamentals. Can play either full-back spot and adds a nice balanced option. 
• Marc Guehi – England’s standout centre-back this season in the Premier League. Also had a fantastic Euros.  
• John Stones – Showed great chemistry with Guehi and always seems to play well in an England shirt. Vital experience. 
• Ezri Konsa – A versatile and solid centre back who has also performed very well when called upon.  
• Harry Maguire – Speaking of players who turn it on in an England shirt. Maguire seems to play his best football for England and is a perennial set-piece threat. 

 

Midfielders: 

• Declan Rice – First name on the team sheet and arguably England’s most important player. Rice has taken his game to a different level this season and has been critical to Arsenal’s success. Also, one of the best dead ball specialists in the world. 
• Elliot Anderson – The perfect compliment to Rice. Does plenty of dirty work off the ball but also a very good passer and tempo controller. Jack of all-trades. 
• Adam Wharton – Probably the best raw passer in the entire England team. Wharton’s vision and passing range could come in handy against more defensively minded teams. 
• Kobbie Mainoo – Has been fantastic since being brought back into the fold at United. Press resistant and exciting. A great option. 
• Jude Bellingham – Impossible to leave off the plane. Capable of match changing greatness at any point in the game. Also has an incredible mentality and engine. 
• Morgan Rogers – Good lord this team is absolutely stacked. Rogers is one of the most exciting players in English football. But more importantly, he takes people on and makes things happen, as opposed to relying on a system to create his chances. Very useful traits for International football. 
• Cole Palmer – We told you it was stacked. Speaking of players who can make magic happen, Palmer is most definitely one of those. Another elite talent whose game translates very well to international football. 
• Eberechi Eze – A more contentious inclusion but baller.  Eze brings a work ethic and willingness to drive at defences. Hasn’t been fully neutered by Arteta yet and is still capable of magic moments. 

 

Forwards: 

• Phil Foden – Despite having a mixed season and not the best England catalogue, it is impossible to leave all that talent at home. Maybe this could be the tournament he finally finds his role in the team. 
• Harry Kane – Has been Ballon d’Or level since reaching Bayern Munich and is showing no signs of slowing down. Could not be entering the tournament in better form. Best striker on the planet. 
• Marcus Rashford – The true definition of Mercurial. Kane functions best when surrounded by pacey wingers who will drive at defences and try to make stuff happen. Rashford is exactly that.  
• Anthony Gordon – Another example and great option for a pacy winger on the left hand side. Gordon has also found some great form of late and has had no issues finding the net. Can also deputise up top when needed. 
• Bukayo Saka – Hate it or not, this man is much better for England than he is for Arsenal. Every time he plays for England he looks 10x more dangerous. Holds the ball up very well and is an absolute handful. 
• Jarrod Bowen – Another excellent attacker and the player with England’s highest G/A tally in the league this year. Can play anywhere across the front 3 and is another absolute handful. Must be on the plane. 

 

Summary 

Now yes, there are definitely some glaring omissions. One place I want to address is why I’m seeing Henderson in so many people’s teams. Yes he has been a good servant for England, but do I think he offers more than any of the other players in his role, namely Rice, Anderson, Mainoo and Wharton? No, absolutely not. Sure, he might be great in the locker room, but is that enough to warrant a spot over other players who have been playing to an elite level? No. 

Defence is another tricky spot. Yes Spence has looked ok at times but he is more suffering from just how much talent we have in the other spots.  

Let me know what you think? Is there anyone you would change? 

 

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