ENG
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP L · POT 1

England
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Thomas Tuchel · First World Cup as head coach (appointed England HC Jan 2025; Champions League winner with Chelsea)
MD1 Jun 17 vs Croatia MD2 Jun 23 vs Ghana MD3 Jun 27 vs Panama
16th World Cup appearance · best finish: Champions (1966)
26
Squad size
26.6
Avg. age
6 / 26
Overseas-based
8 / 18
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Under Thomas Tuchel, England aim to build on recent deep runs — fourth place in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022. Captain Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) leads at his third World Cup, equalling Billy Wright's record.

Declan Rice (Arsenal) and Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) drive the midfield. Up top, Kane is supported by a rotation of Saka, Gordon, Rashford and Watkins. Tuchel's bold calls include leaving out Foden and Palmer, recalling Saudi top scorer Ivan Toney, and selecting Jordan Henderson for a record-equalling fourth World Cup.

Group L pairs England with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. A solid opener against Croatia (June 17, Arlington) sets the tone for a new generation chasing the country's first title since 1966.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-2-3-1.

Tuchel's preferred 4-2-3-1 with Rice and Anderson as the pivot, Bellingham at AM, and Kane leading the line.

4-2-3-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

9
FW · FW
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich · 32 · Bundesliga
114 caps · 79G WC: 2018, 2022
Captain · all-time top scorer
CAPTAIN
10
MF · MF
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid · 22 · La Liga
47 caps · 6G WC: 2022
Midfield engine
ACE
4
CM · MF
Declan Rice
Arsenal · 27 · Premier League
72 caps · 6G WC: 2022
Defensive midfield anchor
7
RW · FW
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal · 24 · Premier League
48 caps · 14G WC: 2022
Right-wing star
1
GK · GK
Jordan Pickford
Everton · 32 · Premier League
84 caps · 0G WC: 2018, 2022
First-choice keeper
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 7
GROUP L

GROUP L.

ENG
England
POT 1
CRO
Croatia
POT 2
GHA
Ghana
POT 3
PAN
Panama
POT 4
Wed, Jun 17
England vs Croatia
Dallas Stadium · Arlington, USA
Croatia's veteran midfield around Modrić tests England's Rice/Anderson/Bellingham trio in the opener.
View lineups →
MD1
Tue, Jun 23
England vs Ghana
Boston Stadium · Foxborough, USA
Ghana's quick wide players test Reece James's defensive work on the right flank.
View lineups →
MD2
Sat, Jun 27
Panama vs England
New York New Jersey Stadium · New Jersey, USA
Likely rotation match. Watkins, Toney and Rashford could earn auditions for knockout berths.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group L
  1. Round of 32 Jul 01 · Atlanta vs 3rd place (E/H/I/J/K)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · Mexico City vs Winner of Match 79
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 91
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group L
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Toronto vs Runners-up Group K
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 84
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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