How England could line-up at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

With the new year underway, it means we are officially in the World Cup year, and as the competition edges closer, the excitement is growing.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the 23rd edition of the tournament, making history as the first time three nations have hosted the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking place in North America, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States providing their elite facilities for the most competitive men’s international football tournament.

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup brings something new, ranging from underdog stories to the underperformance of some of the world’s ranked teams.

With this, the FIFA World Cup is undeniably one of the most exciting and highly anticipated forms of entertainment in the world.

The pressure is looming on England as a nation, with a star-studded pool of players to select from, and nearly 60 years since the 1966 World Cup victory.

Despite the official starting XI of the first England game in the tournament being decided by Thomas Tuchel, in this article, Boyle Casino have looked into a potential England XI.

GK, Jordan Pickford
In recent years, Jordan Pickford has stood out as one of the most consistent performers for England’s men’s national team, consistently giving his all for the badge. Ranging from acrobatic penalty saves to the leadership qualities needed to inspire the team from the back, Pickford looks a shoo-in for the 2026 starting squad. Jordan Pickford plays for Everton in the Premier League, where he continues to impress fans around the globe.

RB, Reece James
Being one of the most competitive positions in England’s national team’s recent history, Reece James has edged ahead of his competitors in his position. With Kyle Walker not getting any younger and Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling with injuries in the current season, Reece James would be our choice for the right-back position. Additionally, Reece James has formally impressed under Thomas Tuchel, winning the UEFA Champions League under the German manager.

CB, Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi has been going under the radar for some years now; however, as of late, he is one of the leaders for the starting centre-back spot for England. Marc Guehi has been one of Crystal Palace’s most consistent performers since he arrived at the club in 2021.

CB, Ezri Konsa
Similarly, Ezri Konsa has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders over the past few years. Konsa joined Aston Villa in 2019 and has played for the club ever since, racking up over 200 appearances.

LB, Nico O’Reilly
Despite his young age and inexperience in major national tournaments, Nico O’Reilly looks ot be one of the hottest prospects playing for Manchester City in the Premier League right now. O’Reilly made his Premier League debut in the 2024/25 season and quickly impressed, earning his first international cap in a 2-0 win over Serbia in 2025.

CM, Declan Rice
Since joining Arsenal in 2023, Declan Rice has earned a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and worldwide. Rice is seen as the complete package for a modern midfielder, able to provide on both ends of the field. Declan Rice has racked up over 70 appearances for the national team since his debut in 2019, and has been one of England’s reliable players since his debut.

Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest brought in Elliot Anderson ahead of their incredible 2024/25 season, and the adaptable midfielder played a part in their success. Anderson joined Forest after leaving his home town club of Newcastle United in search of regular first-team minutes. Since taking his talents to Nottingham, Anderson has had a breakthrough in the footballing world, earning himself his first international cap in 2025.

AM, Jude Bellingham
Along with the RB position, the attacking midfield spot is one of the most competitive areas of the squad. The position is stacked with quality, with the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Ebere Eze, Rogers and more all performing in the best leagues in world football. We have elected Jude Bellingham in the AM position due to his previous efforts with England and his fine club form with Real Madrid.

RW, Bukayo Saka
At just 24 years of age, Saka has made the England RW position his own, and is expected to be the certain pick at RW for his third England competition. Saka has become one of Arsenal’s and England’s best players in recent years, with incredible dribbling and finishing, making him one of the best players in the world for his position.

LW, Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan in the summer of 2025, after experiencing years of struggles at Manchester United. In his short time at Barcelona, he has impressed, showing shades of his previous self in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Rashford’s player profile has been missing for England in recent years, with his pace sorely missed in attack.

ST, Harry Kane
Could it be anyone else? Harry Kane has become one of England’s greatest ever sportsmen, not only for his goal-scoring record, but also for his overall game in the heart of England’s attack. In the 2025/26 season, Harry Kane is putting up some of his best-ever numbers for his new side, Bayern Munich. England’s captain’s return is inevitable for what could be his last ever World Cup, and he will be determined to bring home the gold and cement himself in the record books.

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