England World Cup XI: Picking the Three Lions' starting team for football's biggest stage

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League final win over Arsenal marked the end of major European club football for 2025-26, and all eyes are now on the much-anticipated 2026 World Cup in the USA.

England fans have now had over a week to digest Thomas Tuchel's inevitably controversial squad selection, which featured the likes of Jordan Henderson and Noni Madueke with no mention of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden or Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Three Lions' 26-man group also comprised some stalwarts whose spots in the starting lineup are not up for debate, and others who are still fighting for their right to represent.

Here, Sports Mole steps into the shoes of Tuchel and picks an XI that could secure the Three Lions' first major trophy since 1966.

GOALKEEPER - JORDAN PICKFORD

A top performer across 81 caps over the past decade, Jordan Pickford is the clear first-choice option in goal for England, with the Everton man set to play in his fifth major tournament at senior international level.

The 32-year-old has never let the Three Lions down in make-or-break moments and completely eclipses alternative choices such as James Trafford and Dean Henderson on the experience scale.

Another plus heading towards the World Cup is the form of Pickford and Everton in the Premier League, even if the Toffees failed to qualify for European football.

DEFENCE - REECE JAMES, MARC GUEHI, EZRI KONSA, NICO O'REILLY

Despite the recent retirement of Kyle Walker from international football, England boast an embarrassment of riches at right-back, where Reece James is battling injury as well as Tino Livramento and Arsenal's White for World Cup minutes.

Standing out in an awkward-looking Gareth Southgate team at Euro 2024, Marc Guehi is arguably the first pick of the centre-backs ahead of his second major tournament, with the defender's status boosted following a winter switch to Manchester City.

The big-game experience of John Stones will certainly appeal to Tuchel in defence, however, Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa appears to be the preferred partner for Guehi at the moment judging from selections during the World Cup qualifiers.

A contentious pick at left-back, Nico O'Reilly is a potential match-winner for England, as shown by his recent heroics in the EFL Cup final at Wembley, where he bagged a brace to defeat favourites Arsenal.

MIDFIELD - DECLAN RICE, ELLIOT ANDERSON, JUDE BELLINGHAM

Amongst an elite cohort of around four or five England stars, Declan Rice is a guaranteed starter for his country if fit, with the former West Ham United sweetheart reaching new levels at trophy-chasing Arsenal over the past 18 months.

One of the appreciating assets in the Tuchel era so far, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson has moved a considerable distance clear of Kobbie Mainoo and veteran Jordan Henderson in the race for the supporting role alongside Rice.

The battle for the starting shirt in attacking midfield is much tighter, though, with Morgan Rogers deserving of minutes based on his recent international performances, however, Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham is cut from a different cloth and must play.

ATTACK - BUKAYO SAKA, HARRY KANE, MARCUS RASHFORD

Bukayo Saka's 2025-26 season was not his most productive, but the Arsenal man still registered 20 goal involvements in all competitions and will be a surefire pick on the right wing.

Anthony Gordon is a Tuchel favourite and could start at the World Cup, although Marcus Rashford's impressive revival at Barcelona and major tournament experience is difficult to ignore.

England's all-time leading marksman Harry Kane is the first name on the teamsheet and understandably untouchable, so Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney will be forced to accept cameo roles.