England World Cup squad decided early as Bellingham and Grealish left out | Football | Sport

England have qualified for the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare after last night’s 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga. A Harry Kane brace plus goals from Anthony Gordon, Maksims Tonisevs (OG) and Eberechi Eze mean the Three Lions have a perfect record of six wins from six without a goal conceded and have secured their spot in next summer’s tournament early.

The next World Cup, played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first to utilise a 48-team format and so England will need a deep squad filled with talent for Thomas Tuchel to realise his sole ambition as manager – to be the first boss to win the World Cup since Sir Alf Ramsey. Express Sport writers pick which players they would fly across the Atlantic as of right now…

Archie Griggs

Nick Pope replaces James Trafford because in order to get into an England squad, you should be playing for your club every week. Trent Alexander-Arnold should be there if he is fit enough and the same goes for Reece James. Myles Lewis-Skelly will also deserve a spot on the plane if he can wrestle his way back into the Arsenal side. Phil Foden faces a battle to get in the squad but is among England’s best players on his day. It will certainly raise eyebrows if he is left out. There is no room for Jordan Henderson on this occasion. Elliot Anderson is the future and should get his first taste of World Cup football this summer. Up front, the selection of a rejuvenated Marcus Rashford will largely depend on his form at Barcelona. If he keeps firing on all cylinders, he could be a real threat for the Three Lions.

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Pope

Defenders: Burn, Guehi, Konsa, Quansah, Lewis-Skelly, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, James, Shaw

Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Rice, Wharton, Rogers, Foden

Forwards: Gordon, Bowen, Rashford, Palmer, Eze, Saka, Kane, Watkins

Charlie Malam

A fit Jarrad Branthwaite is a fantastic fourth option to have behind John Stones, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa. Tino Livramento and Myles Lewis-Skelly compete for the starting left-back spot. That’s no slight on Djed Spence at all, I just really like Livramento, who can also play on both sides. Adam Wharton HAS to start for England at the World Cup – end of. Wharton and Declan Rice is an elite midfield pairing, especially when Elliot Anderson can come in for Wharton where needed. Curtis Jones is another valuable depth option like Jordan Henderson. Morgan Rogers is a harsh omission but the No.10 and left-wing areas are just so stacked – hence why Jack Grealish also misses out. Jarrod Bowen does too on the other side but Noni Madueke’s superior pace will be such an asset off the bench when Saka tires.

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford

Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, James, Stones, Guehi, Konsa, Branthwaite, Livramento, Lewis-Skelly

Midfielders: Rice, Wharton, Bellingham, Palmer, Jones, Anderson, Henderson

Forwards: Kane, Saka, Rashford, Foden, Madueke, Eze, Gordon, Watkins

Kieran King

James Trafford is in for Nick Pope because I still feel he is the heir to Jordan Pickford when he retires from international football. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James are England’s best two right-backs, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Luke Shaw should battle it out for the same role on the left-hand side. The centre of defence is England’s weakest area but Marc Guehi and one of John Stones or Ezri Konsa should be first-choice. Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have got to be the three starting midfielders for the World Cup, with Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze providing competition in that area. A stacked forward department would see Jack Grealish and Noni Madueke come in, with Jarrod Bowen among those missing out, as he has never produced in an England shirt. Ollie Watkins will be second fiddle to Harry Kane out in the United States.

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford

Defenders: Burn, Guehi, Konsa, Quansah, Lewis-Skelly, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, James, Shaw

Midfielders: Anderson, Bellingham, Rice, Wharton, Rogers, Eze

Forwards: Gordon, Grealish, Madueke, Rashford, Palmer, Saka, Kane, Watkins

Amos Murphy

Thomas Tuchel’s approach since taking charge has been clear: build a club mentality at international level. That involves upsetting the apple cart and he’s already shown he isn’t afraid to make the big decisions involving the big names. While surprising, it isn’t unthinkable that Tuchel opts to leave Jude Bellingham out of the squad altogether. Something doesn’t seem right with those two and the Real Madrid star could end up being the fall guy. Otherwise, there aren’t too many surprises, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish just about sneaking back into the set-up.

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Trafford, Henderson

Defenders: Guehi, Stones, Konsa, Burn, James, Livramento, Alexander-Arnold, Spence

Midfielders: Rice, Anderson, Rogers, Foden, Palmer, Henderson, Wharton

Forwards: Kane, Watkins, Saka, Eze, Gordon, Madueke, Rashford, Grealish

Aaron Morris

Jordan Pickford is nailed on to be England’s No. 1 next summer, unless something drastic changes – a cut above Nick Pope and Dean Henderson. Trent-Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Tino Livramento make the cut if they remain fit, while Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw earn their place on merit. John Stones also remains Mr Reliable. Jordan Henderson will be 36 when the World Cup rolls around, but he has proven with Brentford this season that his legs still have life. While Morgan Rogers has had a horror start to the term, I also believe he will come in good given a little more time. For now, both Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins have shown a thirst for finding the back of the net, and thus, make Tuchel’s squad next summer. Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford also make the cut based on their performance – each impressing in their respective loan spells.

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Pope, Henderson

Defenders: Guehi, Stones, Burn, Maguire, Alexander-Arnold, James, Lewis-Skelly, Livramento, Shaw

Midfielders: Rice, Bellingham, Anderson, Foden, Henderson, Rogers

Forwards: Kane, Watkins, Saka, Palmer, Gordon, Rashford, Grealish, Bowen