World Cup 2026: Ladbrokes' writers predict the England squad

England 2026 World Cup squad predictions

• Goalkeepers - Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

• Defenders - Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Lewis Hall, Nico O'Reilly

• Midfielders - Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer

• Attackers - Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Bukayo Saka

The keepers pick themselves in my opinion. James Trafford is going to be England's keeper for the next decade or so, so taking him for more top-stage experience makes sense.

Speaking of experience, both John Stones and Harry Maguire make it into my team due to their international tournament pedigree, coupled with their threat from set pieces.

Nico O'Reilly and Lewis Hall battle it out for the left-back slot, with Trent Alexander-Arnold included. Despite his defensive limitations, Trent's ability on the ball, and his knack for winning matches on his own, are worth the risk in knockout football.

Jordan Henderson joins the midfield core, clearly as someone that Tuchel values off the pitch, as well as in the latter stages of matches. His performances for Brentford in the Premier League this season shouldn't be discounted too. James Garner is very unlucky to be omitted, with Kobbie Mainoo picked instead.

Noni Madueke is chosen as the back-up right winger, given his relationship with Bukayo Saka at Arsenal. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon are both picked ahead of Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen and Phil Foden, all of whom can consider themselves unlucky to miss out.

Ivan Toney is given the nod as Harry Kane's deputy due to his ability from the penalty spot, the similar profile he has to Kane, and the fact that he's averaging over a goal a game in Saudi Arabia this season.

• Goalkeepers - Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

• Defenders - Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Nico O'Reilly, Luke Shaw

• Midfielders - Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, James Garner, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer

• Attackers - Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen

The only question mark surrounding the keepers is whether Aaron Ramsdale goes as a fourth choice, but having that many options between the sticks feels like overkill. Pickford is the undisputed number one in any game of importance, but Henderson and Trafford do make for a couple of decent understudies. 

Reece James has to start at right back, but Trent's unique skillset earns him a seat on the plane. Maguire and Shaw have been a big part of Man United's resurgence, and have key experience on the international stage, while Hall and O'Reilly have both played themselves into the squad - with the latter also providing a midfield option.

Jordan Henderson's leadership isn't enough to get him into the 26-man squad, with Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner providing the midfield backup, while all four of the talented 10s join the group. It's between Bellingham and Rogers for a start, but you can't leave players of Foden and Palmer's ability at home - regardless of potentially underwhelming club form.

Ollie Watkins gets the nod as Harry Kane's cover, with his Euros semi-final winner proving he can step up in the big moments, while Jarrod Bowen is preferred to Noni Madueke as Bukayo Saka's competition - with the West Ham skipper's Premier League numbers putting Madueke's to shame.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon fight for the shirt on the left wing, and with both men also proving they can do a job as the central striker, Thomas Tuchel is flooded with attacking options.

Cian's England squad

• Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

• Defenders: Reece James, Tino Livramento, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Nico O'Reilly

• Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer

• Attackers: Jarrod Bowen, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford

You'd struggle to find any arguments in the goalkeeping department, with Jordan Pickford the undisputed No1, Dean Henderson a worthy backup and James Trafford an exciting option for the future who'll get some valuable tournament experience with the lads.

I'll be going against Thomas Tuchel's wishes by picking Trent Alexander-Arnold for his ability on the ball, which will come in handy when England are inevitably chasing a game. That said, the fact I've picked two more right-backs probably suggests I'm not confident on his defensive abilities in high-stakes knockout moments.

Harry Maguire and John Stones come in on a purely World Cup 2018 vibes basis, with Dan Burn missing out on the 'good bloke' slot. I'll be starting Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi as my centre-backs though, with Lewis Hall and Nico O'Reilly my left-backs despite Pep trying his hardest to confuse everyone by playing O'Reilly as an attacking midfielder recently. 

Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are my starting deep midfielders throughout the tournament, but I'm bringing Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton along for the ride and leaving Jordan Henderson at home. Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer will be my No10s, which is bad news for Phil Foden - who I'm not convinced can actually impress outside of a Guardiola team (and he's hardly flourished inside it this season) - and Eberechi Eze.

Jarrod Bowen, someone I think is still somewhat underrated, makes it in as Bukayo Saka's back-up, with Noni Madueke also an option there and on the left. The left side also sees Anthony Gordon make the cut along with Marcus Rashford, who I still feel is among England's best attackers when he's fully firing.

Realistically, the debate over who will be Harry Kane's back-up is a pretty pointless one, so I'm going for more vibes by sticking 35-year-old Danny Welbeck in and asking questions later.

Tom's England squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale

Defenders: Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Dan Burn

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, James Garner, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers

Attackers: Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin

I’ve gone for Aaron Ramsdale over James Trafford, just by virtue of having played more regular football this season and he’s a good character to have around the camp. 

Reece James and Lewis Hall are my starting full backs, with City duo John Stones and Marc Guehi in the middle. Nico O’Reilly has to make the squad after a fine breakout season, Tino Livramento can cover both sides, while England are not good enough to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold at home.

Harry Maguire has never let the national team down, with Ezri Konsa and Dan Burn taken as additional cover, especially with set-pieces in mind. The midfield pair of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson appears locked in to begin the World Cup, and I’ve gone for Adam Wharton and James Garner as their cover, with Garner providing versatility and good set-piece delivery.

Jude Bellingham simply must start our biggest games, but Morgan Rogers is a great option at number ten as well. Dominic Calvert-Lewin makes the squad as the understudy to skipper Harry Kane.

Ollie Watkins is unlucky to miss out after his heroics at the last Euros but his form has been poor and Calvert-Lewin’s aerial ability makes him the biggest impact option off the bench.

Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford are fighting for the starting left wing berth, with Saka likely starting on the right. Palmer and Foden are luxury options that can operate across the forward line or midfield, but there’s certainly space for them in the twenty-six.

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