England expects. There is pressure on the Three Lions at every major tournament but this one does feel a little different.
Thomas Tuchel has been cleared with a clear goal in mind, winning World Cup 2026, and his squad have not shied away from admitting that is their target in North America this summer.
Though not quite as fancied as France or Spain, England are among the favourites for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
But who are the 26 players tasked with ending 60 years of hurt over the next six weeks?
Radio Times brings you the England squad for World Cup 2026.
Read more World Cup 2026: Watch on TV | Matches on today | Fixtures & results | Radio coverage | Stadium guide | BBC presenters | ITV presenters | Highlights
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England squad at World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Man City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Man City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O’Reilly (Man City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Man City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Man Utd), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
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England World Cup 2026 odds
In working partnership with the Radio Times, bet365 has provided the following betting odds for this event:
To win World Cup 2026: 7/1
To win Group L: 1/3
To reach last 16: 4/11
To reach quarter-finals: 5/6
To reach semi-finals: 2/1
To reach the final: 7/2
England top-scorer odds: Harry Kane 1/2, Bukayo Saka 8/1, Morgan Rogers12/1, Jude Bellingham 12/1, Marcus Rashford14/1
England World Cup 2026 player profiles
Goalkeepers
1. Jordan Pickford (Everton)
England’s number one. Jordan Pickford was first choice throughout Gareth Southgate’s reign and has remained in situ under Tuchel.
The Everton goalkeeper is hugely experienced, with 84 international caps to his name, and has barely put a foot wrong at major tournaments.
13. Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace shot-stopper Dean Henderson is expected to be Pickford’s back-up at World Cup 2026.
The 29-year-old has been central to the Eagles’ FA Cup and Conference League successes in recent seasons.
23. James Trafford (Man City)
If all goes to plan, James Trafford shouldn’t see any match action at the World Cup – such is the life of a third-string goalkeeper.
The 23-year-old, who is seen by many as Pickford’s long-term successor, has had a frustrating season at Man City. He signed from Burnley last summer, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to arrive and take his spot in the starting XI.
Defenders
15. Dan Burn (Newcastle)
Towering centre-back Dan Burn was part of Tuchel’s first squad and has remained a favourite of the German’s since.
His part is likely to come from the bench, with his aerial prowess useful in both boxes late in games.
12. Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)
A late addition to the squad as a replacement for the injured Tino Livramento, Trevoh Chalobah looks set to offer cover at right-back and centre-back.
Chalobah, an athletic defender and confident ball-player, has mostly played as a central defender for Chelsea this term and is a player Tuchel knows well from his time at Stamford Bridge.
6. Marc Guehi (Man City)
A physical defender and confident ball-player, Marc Guehi has established himself as a top-class centre-back in recent years.
The defender has been a mainstay in the Man City side since swapping Selhurst Park for the Etihad and in the starting XI under Tuchel.
24. Reece James (Chelsea)
The Chelsea captain is, when fit, arguably the most complete right-back in world football. Staying fit has been an issue for him and could prove pivotal to England’s hopes of going all the way.
A Tuchel favourite from his time at Stamford Bridge, Reece James is a quality defender and is an outstanding technician as well, which will make him a real asset in the final third.
2. Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
A likely partner for Guehi, Ezri Konsa is a powerful central defender who is a presence in both boxes.
The Aston Villa man also offers cover at right-back, where he has featured under Tuchel, and heads into the World Cup after helping his club side win the Europa League.
26. Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Jarell Quansah secured his place in the World Cup squad on the back of a quietly impressive season at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Liverpool academy product, who is primarily a centre-back but can play on the right of a back four, has been a key player since making the move to the Bundesliga last summer.
3. Nico O’Reilly (Man City)
One of the breakout players of the 2025/26 Premier League season, O’Reilly is in the running to start at left-back for England.
The 21-year-old academy product has become a key player for Man City this term, featuring as both a defender and in central midfield, and popped up with some vital goals.
25. Djed Spence (Tottenham)
Probably the quickest player in the Three Lions squad, Djed Spence will offer cover at both right-back and left-back.
At his best, the 25-year-old can lock down opposition wingers and is a weapon flying down the flanks, but he struggled for consistency in a poor Spurs side this term.
5. John Stones (Man City)
After struggling for minutes at Man City this term, few felt John Stones was guaranteed a place in the England squad. Importantly, Tuchel was one of those who did.
The experienced centre-back, who is closing in on 100 caps for his country, has been a top-level defender for nearly a decade and could well be a central figure at World Cup 2026.
Midfielders
10. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Jude Bellingham heads into this summer’s tournament on the back of an underwhelming season at Real Madrid, but he has looked fitter than ever and raring to go in the warm-up matches.
An all-action midfielder that can do everything, he has proven at past tournaments that he thrives in the big moments. Whether it’s as a starter or from the bench, he should be a key player in North America.
8. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
Elliot Anderson has established himself as a key player and Rice’s midfield partner during Tuchel’s tenure.
Tenacious without the ball and clever with it, the Nottingham Forest man is attracting the attention of many of Europe’s big clubs – and for good reason. This could be the tournament when the rest of the world realises just how good he is.
21. Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
What a few years it has been for Eberechi Eze, who helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup in 2024/25 and won the Premier League in his first year at Arsenal.
The tricky playmaker, who scored three times in qualifying, looks likely to make an impact off the bench at the World Cup.
14. Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
Tuchel’s most controversial selection, veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson has been picked more for his influence in the dressing room and training ground than on the pitch.
The former Liverpool captain, who will provide cover in midfield, has become the first England player to go to seven major tournaments.
16. Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd)
Kobbie Mainoo became a regular starter as a teenager at Euro 2024 but is likely to make his impact off the bench at this summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Out in the cold under Ruben Amorim in the first half of the season, the 21-year-old midfielder proved his quality as a key figure in the Man Utd revival under Michael Carrick.
4. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
One of the first names on the team sheet, Declan Rice can stake a claim to being the best midfielder in world football and the best player in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old, who is likely to play every minute of the tournament, will pull the strings from the centre of the park and crash the box as a goal threat.
17. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
It speaks to just how good Rogers has been this season and how well he’s taken to the international stage that the Aston Villa playmaker could start in place of Bellingham.
The attacking midfielder is a direct runner who can beat a defender, pick a pass or find the net from range.
Forwards
18. Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)
It’s already been a huge summer for Anthony Gordon, who swapped Newcastle for Barcelona in a big-money deal ahead of the World Cup.
The pacey and direct winger is in a battle with Marcus Rashford to start on the left-hand side but looks to have edged just ahead of his compatriot.
11. Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Man Utd)
Marcus Rashford looks back somewhere near his best after an impressive season on loan at Barcelona.
It’s unclear what his future holds, though a permanent Man Utd exit feels likely, but his full focus will be on terrorising defenders on England’s left wing.
9. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
The England captain heads into World Cup 2026 in frightening form, having scored 61 times for the Bundesliga champions in 2025/26.
Kane is a lethal finisher and one of the best strikers on the planet. His form will be central to England’s hopes this summer.
7. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
England’s starboy has grown into a world-class player and key attacking weapon for both club and country.
Injuries have hampered Bukayo Saka this season and may mean he is eased into the tournament by Tuchel, but he should have a vital role to play off the right wing.
22. Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli)
A surprise inclusion in the England squad, Ivan Toney has fallen off the radar of many fans since his move to Saudi Arabia.
Still, his physicality, excellent finishing (with 42 goals for Al-Ahli this term), endless confidence and penalty prowess make him a very useful addition to Tuchel’s ranks.
19. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins put his mid-season struggles behind him and finished 2025/26 with a flourish, helping Aston Villa win the Europa League, to book his place on the plane.
Watkins is at his best running off the shoulder of defenders and, as his winner against the Netherlands at Euro 2024 proved, all he needs is one chance to change a game off the bench.
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