In a new weekly series, John Cross, the Mirror’s chief football writer, gives his assessment of England’s players for Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Harry Kane is certain to lead England’s front line, but Jude Bellingham’s place in the team is less secure (Image: Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
There is less than four months left until England manager Thomas Tuchel has to select his final England squad for this summer’s World Cup, and there is intense competition for almost every position.
As the countdown to the 2026 tournament heats up, some of the Premier League and Europe’s top players are vying for the same spots, while others have until the end of the season to make up.
This week, John Cross, the Mirror’s chief football writer, watched two live matches between Man City’s Marc Guehi, Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly against Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher on Sunday. Arsenal’s Noni Madueke, Ebelesi Eze, Ben White and Miles Lewis-Skelly featured in the midweek Champions League game before the 4-0 win over Leeds.
Here, Cross gives his latest verdict on these selected players and how likely they are to be “on the plane” this summer. At the end of the article you will have the opportunity to express your opinion, so please participate.
Dom Solanke
Match Rating: 9/10
oh. His performance felt like a game changer. He scored two goals and the second goal was of very good quality. He also possessed the ball, fought and displayed a superb centre-forward performance.
It’s all in front of Thomas Tuchel. Even if I didn’t think about it before, I do now.
Dominic Solanke pushed forward with Thomas Tuchel’s plans (Image: (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images))
Current form: 7/10
Four goals in four games since his return, that’s the form and performance that Spurs were missing.
He looked great against Man City and if he can get the momentum going then the doors will really open.
England team rating: 6/10
If England are looking for a back-up to Harry Kane in terms of a classic centre-forward, Solanke should have a great chance. If they want a different type, Ollie Watkins is probably the first choice. But Solanke’s qualities should give him a chance.
phil foden
Match Rating: 5/10
How can you judge him as a substitute for 88 minutes? That’s tough. However, he played two minutes in regular time and then nine minutes in stoppage time.
Too little, too late. He always looks ready, determined and has a hungry spirit, but he just couldn’t make a breakthrough for City.
WATCH: Check out episode 1 of our World Cup podcast ‘Make Football Great Again’
Current form: 6/10
This is a bigger worry. His successor was Rayan Cherki and now Antoine Semenyo. The problem for Foden is that there is too much competition at City. Will he have enough time to return to top form?
England team rating: 7/10
One of the big names will be absent. Will it be Bellingham, Rodgers, Foden or Palmer? Not everyone can go. People who don’t play well or are just unlucky won’t go. Foden is in danger.
Phil Foden could be at risk of losing his place in the team (Image: (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images))
conor gallagher
Match Rating: 6/10
He continued to work tirelessly, covering every blade of grass and really putting in a shift. He ran into the ground himself and really looked as if he had given himself a chance right in front of Thomas Tuchel.
Current form: 6/10
The big issue here is consistency and quality. Perhaps there are others who have both tenacity and skill. Gallagher can make a big difference. He must be on the long list.
England team rating: 5/10
To be clear, he left Spain to return to the Premier League with the World Cup in mind. When someone is so single-minded, you have to give them a chance.
mark gehi
Match Rating: 7/10
He moved to City in a blockbuster deal and made the team look good at the back. Calm, confident and good on the ball.
This was very comfortable, but he actually got into a big buzz as Solanke’s challenge on him looked like a foul and was briefly awarded as an own goal against Guehi, but was ultimately given to the Spurs striker.
Is there a question mark over Guehi’s strength? He’s still a top player. It’s a really good signing for City and this move will take him to a new level.
Current form: 7/10
Overall, Guehi seems to be doing well. He moved to City and has had a positive impact, which says a lot about his quality.
England team rating: 9/10
He will start in central defense at the World Cup, there is no doubt about it. He is top quality. Thomas Tuchel may have had his doubts at first, but he quickly realized that he and Ezri Konsa are England’s best duo.
Marc Guehi looks set to be a starter for England (Image: (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))
Nico O’Reilly
Match Rating: 7/10
He actually started in midfield rather than left-back, but that only emphasizes his versatility. He looks great in different roles.
He’s huge! He was strong in midfield and kept bumping into people, but was good in the game and looks to have a promising future.
Current form: 5/10
Thanks to his form and recent performances, City have space for him in midfield even with the return of Rayan Ait Nouri. That speaks volumes about his quality and Pep Guardiola’s faith in him.
England team rating: 9/10
He is in pole position at left-back and is certain to feature in the first game against Croatia unless something drastic happens.
Join us on Facebook! For the latest news, analysis and more on our Mirror Football Facebook page
Noni Madueke
Match Rating: 4/10
He was absolutely terrible against Kairat Almaty, even practically knocking his opponent off the ground when he was in a prime position. You expect him to embrace and enjoy these opportunities, but at times it seems as if he is unhappy about being a backup player. And three days later, in Leeds…
Current form: 7/10
If you judge players by their current form and evaluate their last game, Leeds’ performance was very different. He was great and stepped up after Bukayo Saka went off with an injury during the warm-up. He could move electric and his crosses were great.
England team rating: 7/10
If Bukayo Saka is confirmed, Madueke could be a bit ahead of Jarrod Bowen, even if the West Ham man starts every week. But Bowen’s form has been patchy. If Madueke gets game time, he should lead the way.
Noni Madueke could be on a plane to North America (Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Eberechi Eze
Match Rating: 6/10
His performance definitely polarized opinion, which is a shame as this was a rare opportunity for him. He started as a dual 8 but didn’t produce much. He continued to try his trademark slightly dink forward, but with little success. He is currently labeled as Arsenal’s main player and appears to be facing a battle with the players in front of him.
Current form: 5/10
He played eight minutes as a substitute in the game against Leeds, but hasn’t really hit his stride. When he started against Spurs around November and scored a hat-trick, he had purple spots and was ready to take off. He then failed to pursue Matty Cash at Aston Villa and was left out as an option on the left.
England team rating: 6/10
He is in serious danger of becoming one of England’s biggest casualties. He moved to Arsenal to go to another level, but it hasn’t happened yet. There is also a player in front of him, number 10, on the left. His biggest hope is his versatility.
Do you agree with John Cross? Tune in or out of the England team slider below and let us know what you think…
Miles Lewis-Skelly
Match Rating: 6/10
Despite losing his place, he actually spent a lot of minutes in the Champions League and showed some very mixed performances. But needless to say, he wasn’t even in Arsenal’s matchday squad for their Premier League trip to Leeds.
He’s working very hard on aspects of his game, such as pace and defense, but his chances are really fading as you can’t pick a player to represent England who isn’t the club’s first choice. He will get playing time for the rest of the campaign, but it’s hard to see him earning a spot.
Current form: 6/10
His current condition is disappointing. He was better against Kairat Almaty, but they were a much lower level opponent. In the Premier League, he looked sluggish, lacking rhythm and guilty of taking too many risks in the name of attention.
England team rating: 5/10
It is difficult for him to succeed at his current form. It’s a shame because his rise to fame was a great story. But his time will come again.
Miles Lewis-Skelly looks likely to miss out on this summer’s World Cup (Image: (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images))
ben white
Match Rating: 7/10
He looked good, sharp, and solid. He has returned to the frame after regaining fitness but still has a great understanding with Bukayo Saka as they can overlap and link up.
However, he is behind Julian Timber in the Arsenal pecking order and his biggest hope is to play at right-back, with Timber starting at left-back and White at right-back.
He is strong and aggressive. Great on the ball.
Current form: 6/10
His current form is stable enough, but it is difficult to judge too much as he has not been selected by Leeds this weekend as he is a different player in and out of the team.
England team rating: 3/10
I don’t think he’ll do well like this. He didn’t like the lack of playing time and returned from Qatar in 2022. If he is at his best, he could be a favorite to start for England. But he isn’t.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has made some key decisions regarding the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup (Image: (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images))
Full assessment of England players
Here is John Cross’ latest assessment of how likely each player on the 51-man longlist is to be selected for England (ranked out of 10). Players are ranked in position order.
goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford: 10/10 Dean Henderson 8/10 Nick Pope 6/10 James Trafford 5/10 Aaron Ramsdale 3/10
right full back
Reece James 9/10 Trent Alexander-Arnold 5/10 Rico Lewis 4/10 Ben White 3/10
left full back
Nico O’Reilly 9/10 Tino Libramento 7/10 Lewis Hall 7/10 Jed Spence 6/10 Miles Lewis-Skelly 5/10 Luke Shaw 5/10 Jack Hinshelwood 4/10read more: Thomas Tuchel identifies US ‘English Cottage’ as home base for Three Lions’ World Cup bidread more: Jude Bellingham leaves the pitch in tears as Real Madrid and England aces suffer World Cup scares
central defender
Ezri Konsa 9/10 Mark Gehi 9/10 Jarrell Quansah 8/10 John Stones 7/10 Dan Byrne 7/10 Trevor Chalobah 6/10 Harry Maguire 5/10 Jarrad Branthwaite 4/10 Levi Colwill 3/10
midfielder
Elliott Anderson 10/10 Declan Rice 10/10 Jordan Henderson 9/10 Adam Wharton 6/10 Curtis Jones 6/10 Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10 Coby Mainu 6/10 Conor Gallagher 5/10 Mason Mount 4/10 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3/10
Declan Rice is a key player for England (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
right forward
Bukayo Saka 9/10 Noni Maduke 7/10 Jarrod Bowen 6/10
left forward
Anthony Gordon 8/10 Marcus Rashford 8/10 Eberechi Eze 6/10
No10s
Morgan Rogers 9/10 Jude Bellingham 9/10 Phil Foden 7/10 Cole Palmer 6/10
Morgan Rodgers is competing with Jude Bellingham for a starting spot (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
strikers
Harry Kane 10/10 Ollie Watkins 8/10 Dominic Solanke 6/10 Danny Welbeck 6/10 Liam Delap 5/10 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5/10
Who will win the World Cup? Share your opinion below.
If you don’t see the survey, click here.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
