England World Cup 2026: Odds to make the squad

Published: Updated at:
  • Ladbrokes runs through the odds for players to make England's World Cup 2026 squad this summer

  • Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Declan Rice are all nailed-on to make Thomas Tuchel's squad

  • Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins have work still to do, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Max Dowman potential wildcard options

OnS SEO Sports 960x540 WHO MAKES TUCHEL S WORLD CUP SQUAD (UK)

Thomas Tuchel names his final England squad before the summer this Friday, and with friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on the horizon, the picture for World Cup 2026 is starting to take shape.

This is the last camp for players to impress Tuchel and confirm their spot in the squad this summer, and the Ladbrokes market for players to make England's World Cup 2026 squad gives a strong indication of where things stand heading into it.

Some names are already etched in pen, others are still fighting to guarantee their seat on the plane to North America, while a few outside options are hoping for a late twist. Here, we run through all the key names and talking points, and be sure to check out the latest World Cup 2026 outright winner odds.

England World Cup 2026 squad odds: Kane, Pickford, Rice among nailed-on picks

There is always plenty of debate around England squads - particularly for major tournaments - but there are a cluster of players where you would have trouble finding any supporter questioning their spot in the squad.

Captain and leading goalscorer Harry Kane leads those names, and with the striker currently in the form of his life for Bayern Munich, he is as close to a certain pick as you can get, with Ladbrokes pricing him at 1/50 to make Tuchel's squad.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's place is seen as equally secure, according to the bookies, with midfielders Declan Rice and Marc Guehi just behind at 1/33. Bukayo Saka (1/20) seemingly only has an injury standing in his way of the World Cup, as is the case for Jude Bellingham (1/6) and Cole Palmer (1/8).

Meanwhile, the likes of Anthony Gordon (1/16), Elliot Anderson (1/10), Morgan Rogers (1/10), Ezri Konsa (1/6) and Nico O'Reilly (1/6) have done well to make themselves established members of England's squad in recent years and will almost certainly travel to the United States this summer if fit.

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England World Cup 2026 squad odds: Foden, Eze, Watkins among players with work to do

That brings us onto the players who, to differing degrees, may still have some work to do to really guarantee their places at the World Cup.

It may seem surprising to name two of those players as Phil Foden and John Stones but a range of factors mean the Manchester City duo's places are still likely, but not as nailed on as others at 1/4.

Foden has struggled for consistency this season and has a number of players competing for his favoured No10 spot, while there is the sense the 25-year-old has never quite hit the same heights wearing a white shirt as he has in sky blue. Stones, meanwhile, is still among England's best centre-backs but his fitness remains a key issue, having only started four times in the Premier League for Man City this term.

Marcus Rashford is priced at 10/3 for a place in the squad. The forward has been regularly picked since Tuchel was appointed but with his form tailing off slightly during his Barcelona loan, he is still yet to convince many that he is capable of consistently performing.

Eberechi Eze (1/3), Jarrod Bowen (4/7) and Noni Madueke (8/11) are among the attacking options whose places are not yet secured, while an interesting central midfield battle is developing between Adam Wharton (10/11) and a resurgent Kobbie Mainoo (4/7).

Manchester United's upturn in form has led to calls for an England return for Harry Maguire (10/11), which could leave Dan Burn (10/11) facing a nervous wait despite being a regular for the Three Lions of late.

There remains some debate over Kane's understudy up front, with Ollie Watkins (1/2) the long-term Plan B option but his form for Aston Villa this season has really tailed off, which could open up an opportunity for a wildcard option to break in.

England World Cup 2026 squad odds: Alexander-Arnold, Calvert-Lewin, Dowman among wildcard contenders

That kicks off our outsiders section nicely, with a number of surprise names in the striking department potentially still in with a shot of heading across the pond this summer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7/2) has been tipped by some for a first England appearance since the 2021 European Championship with his good form for Leeds, though Tammy Abraham (3/1) is considered a more likely option by the bookies. Dominic Solanke (7/2), Ivan Toney (6/1) and Danny Welbeck (8/1) are other options.

Max Dowman's name has been mentioned in some quarters after becoming the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer at 16 years and 73 days with his goal for Arsenal against Everton. The supremely talented left-sided attacker has seen his England odds slashed since that moment and is 6/1 to make a surprise entry into the senior squad.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said:

Thomas Tuchel could have another selection problem on his hand... if Max Dowman continues to play such a key role in Arsenal's title charge, there's every chance he could break even more records in an England shirt this summer.

Although if Tuchel wants to pick a wide player with more of a proven track record of goals and assists in the Premier League this season, then Newcastle's Harvey Barnes (7/1) might be the more reliable shout.

Trent Alexander-Arnold at 1/1 must also be seen as a wildcard option at this stage. The right-back is probably among England's most talented players but his move to Real Madrid cannot be considered a roaring success just yet and Tuchel has seemingly been wary of utilising him since taking over.

The former Liverpool man has made only one of his squads so far, with the likes of Djed Spence (11/8) selected over him in recent times and Reece James seemingly nailed on to be the starter on the right of defence this summer.

Who are the favourites to win the World Cup?

European champions Spain are the current favourites to win the World Cup, with England second and France third.

Can you bet on England's World Cup squad?

Ladbrokes are offering customers the chance to bet on players to make England's World Cup squad, from nailed-on picks like Harry Kane to wildcard options such as Max Dowman.

Who do England play during the international break?

England play friendlies against Uruguay on Friday March 27, before hosting Japan on Tuesday, March 31.

When is the England squad announced?

Thomas Tuchel will name his England squad for their upcoming friendlies in March on Friday, March 20, 2026.
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.

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