England are one of the most talented football nations on the planet, and that abundance of quality made picking the Three Lions squad for this summer’s tournament no easy feat.
Thomas Tuchel has now named his 26 players for North America, and as expected, some notable names were left at home. With the World Cup 2026 betting odds reflecting England as genuine contenders, the No.10 role behind Harry Kane was the biggest selection headache Tuchel faced. Here is how it played out.
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham was always going to be one of the first names on the team sheet, fitness permitting. The Real Madrid midfielder spent the early part of 2026 nursing a hamstring problem, missing the March friendlies and returning to Madrid without featuring, which left a question mark over his involvement.
Our 26 names and numbers locked in. 🔒
🔜 @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/VGt2hksREO
— England (@England) June 2, 2026
Tuchel never wavered, though, and Bellingham has been named in the final squad. His quality and experience at the highest level made him almost impossible to leave behind, and he looks set to occupy the No.10 role he has made his own for club and country.
Morgan Rogers
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Morgan Rogers, who is linked with a move to Arsenal, made it almost impossible to be left at home. Aston Villa’s form tailed off late in the campaign, but the 23-year-old was one of the players of the season and has duly earned a place in his first senior tournament squad.
He gives Tuchel a direct, ball-carrying option in the attacking midfield areas, and he is firmly in contention to feature when England open against Croatia. After the season he produced, few would argue with his inclusion.
Phil Foden
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Before the squad was announced, Foden looked like he could be staying at home, and so it proved. That is a remarkable thing to say given his ability and the role he played for England in previous tournaments, including starting every game of Euro 2024 as the Three Lions reached the final.
However, he did not get anywhere near his usual minutes at Manchester City this season, and that lack of regular football ultimately cost him a place on the plane.
Cole Palmer
Palmer is the other big name to miss out. Before Christmas, he appeared almost certain to be left behind after struggling with injuries and inconsistency for Chelsea in the early part of the campaign.
He did string together a stronger run in early 2026, contributing six goals and three assists in 11 appearances, including a first-half hat-trick against Wolves, but his form dipped again and he was nowhere near his best in England’s March friendlies. Those showings when he had his chance proved costly, and Tuchel has left him out.
Eberechi Eze
Eze, by contrast, made the cut. Much of his season at Arsenal was inconsistent in front of goal outside his standout displays against Tottenham, but he ended the campaign as a Premier League champion after the Gunners ended their 22-year title wait.
A run of starts down the stretch strengthened his case, and Tuchel clearly sees him as a useful creative alternative in the final third.
Who starts behind Kane?
With the squad now settled, the No.10 debate shifts from who travels to who starts. Bellingham is the clear favourite to fill the role behind Kane, assuming his fitness holds up after a stop-start few months. Rogers and Eze give Tuchel genuine alternatives, whether from the start or off the bench, while the absence of both Foden and Palmer means there is serious quality watching from home.
For those keeping an eye on the World Cup 2026 winner odds, the depth England carry in the attacking midfield areas remains both a strength and a talking point. Tuchel has made his calls. Now it is about getting the best out of the players he has chosen.