England are closing in on their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia.
There have been a lot of conversations about England’s starting lineup for the World Cup opener, and a fair few variations. Who will start between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers? Will Ezri Konsa or John Stones partner Marc Guehi? Has Anthony Gordon done enough to start ahead of Marcus Rashford?
We asked our Squawka team of writers for their England lineups vs Croatia. Read on for the teams and reasonings below.
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Chris Jones
- England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Thomas Tuchel should go with raw star power in this opener, stuffing the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka into the attack, as long as they’re fit.
Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice offer elite industry and precision at the base of midfield, but it’s at the back where Tuchel has the biggest headaches.
It would be tempting to lean on the experience of John Stones, but the injury-prone defender has hardly played in 2025-26. Instead, the stable, mobile pairing of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa should keep Croatia at bay, while Reece James and Nico O’Reilly offer relentless running and technical brilliance at full-back. The former can inside as an auxiliary midfielder, and the latter essentially morphs into an extra winger.
Pickford’s place is unquestioned.
Dean Smith
- England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon is the hardest selection for me, but I feel Gordon will dovetail better with Nico O’Reilly. I also believe the 25-year-old offers a better balance to Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank than Rashford. That performance against Costa Rica in the final warmup friendly didn’t hurt his chances either. I’ve plumped for John Stones over Ezri Konsa simply because his tournament experience will be needed alongside three World Cup debutants in defence.
Morgan Rogers is a magnificent player, but I don’t think England can afford to leave out somebody of Jude Bellingham’s immense talent and I suspect he’ll have more of an understanding of the positions that Harry Kane will want to pick up when dropping deeper to collect the ball. For me, the remaining eight positions pick themselves, but I wouldn’t be completely surprised to see Noni Madueke start over Bukayo Saka.
Andy Francis
- England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
I think much of the starting XI picks itself. But there are a few areas still up for grabs. John Stones starts at centre-back for me. He’s one of Tuchel’s favourites and his ability to carry the ball out of defence and break lines could be vital against Croatia. Ezri Konsa has had a great spell for Aston Villa and England and deserves his place, too. Having Reece James and John Stones in the back four might be one potential injury too far, and Konsa will give excellent cover tucking in.
The big question is still who starts at No.10. I’ve sided with Jude Bellingham. It’s been a long season for Morgan Rogers and I’m not confident he’ll be able to give 100% for a full 90 minutes in the Texas heat. Bellingham looks much fresher and looked back to his old self against Costa Rica on Wednesday evening. It’s a great problem to have!
The other position up for debate is the left wing position. Both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon have excelled in the friendly games recently but the latter’s pressing could be invaluable in the heat. His ability to get behind the defence could also be really vital to England’s chances. Rashford could then be key as an impact player in the second half.
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Luke Hamilton
- England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Thomas Tuchel is expected to settle on the more popular choices in both of England’s key selection debates. Jude Bellingham is likely to be preferred over Morgan Rogers in the No.10 role despite a mixed campaign at Real Madrid. Bukayo Saka should return on the right ahead of the underwhelming Noni Madueke, who has filled in during the former’s managed minutes. Anthony Gordon is expected to get the nod over Marcus Rashford on the left, largely due to his intensity and effectiveness out of possession. Tuchel should also place his trust in John Stones, his most experienced defender, to partner Marc Guehi. Elsewhere, the remainder of the XI virtually picks itself – from the ever-reliable Jordan Pickford in goal to England’s prolific talisman Harry Kane leading the line.
Ben McAleer
- England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
In terms of England’s XI against Croatia, the main issue is who starts in the supporting trio behind striker Harry Kane. Thomas Tuchel has options in attack. Bukayo Saka’s potential absence does throw a spanner in the works. Noni Madueke is Saka’s deputy at club level. It stands to reason he does so on the international stage.
Jude Bellingham is the better fit behind Kane given the willingness to make runs in behind. Marcus Rashford offers the alternative goal threat from the left. Otherwise, the rest of the XI largely picks itself.
John Stones is England’s tournament master. Despite a lack of game time last season, he always shows up on the international stage. His partnership with Marc Guehi was a key reason behind their progression to the Euro 2024 final.
Jonathan Davies
- England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Gordon, Rogers, Rashford; Kane.
Jordan Pickford is a no-brainer to start in goal against Croatia, while the centre-back pairing of John Stones and Marc Guehi served England so well at Euro 2024. So it should not be altered. Nico O’Reilly has been a regular at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, and his Carabao Cup final brace demonstrated his ability to rise to the big occasion. Thomas Tuchel has proven his preference for Reece James, who will provide the main weapon from set-pieces. Alongside dead cert Declan Rice, this is the first chance for Elliot Anderson to truly test himself against a strong opponent on the international stage – a certain Luka Modric will do just that for him!
Morgan Rogers gets the nod at No.10. He’s earned his chance after delivering for Tuchel during the qualifiers. Anthony Gordon played himself into the starting XI with his positive display against Costa Rica, while Marcus Rashford has momentum off the back of a strong season at Barcelona. Harry Kane leads the line, of course, but it’s important he brings his Bayern Munich form from this term to the biggest stage of all. Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka have points to prove after their generally disappointing showings at the Euros, while the latter was also poor during the recent Champions League final. Just like everyone else in the squad, if they want a place in the starting XI, they’ve got to earn it – and, for me, they must do so coming off the bench at the start of this tournament.
Harry Edwards
- England XI: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
It feels like most of the England XI picks itself. There are just a few spots up for contention, and everyone has different reasons for their picks. Jordan Pickford will obviously start in goal, while Nico O’Reilly looks to have the left-back spot nailed down. Reece James is also the best right-back in the squad and should start there. There are some reports about the centre-back duo, but Marc Guehi has to start and Ezri Konsa complements him most in terms of defensive strengths.
Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice are the first-choice double pivot, with the former just getting ahead of Kobbie Mainoo. But both players would do a good job partnering Rice. There’s also no reason for Bukayo Saka not to start, as England’s best right-winger. I feel Jude Bellingham is the better feature in the No.10 ahead of Morgan Rogers, given the supporting role he can play. Not to mention how he can fill gaps left by Harry Kane. It’s a similar case for Marcus Rashford starting over Anthony Gordon. Both players looked good in pre-tournament friendlies, but Rashford is a bit more of a goal threat.
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