In our new weekly series, our Chief Football Writer John Cross gives his England player ratings for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup 2026 squad
Thomas Tuchel has under four months to finalise his England squad for the 2026 World Cup
There are fewer than four months to go until England boss Thomas Tuchel has to pick his final England squad for this summer’s World Cup – and he has huge competition in almost every position, but one place in the team sticks out more than the others.
Some of the best players in the Premier League and Europe are vying for the same spots as the countdown to the 2026 tournament hots up, while others have ground to make up before the season ends.
One particular position to keep an eye on is the number 10. With Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer all battling it out for the same spot, at least one star will have to miss out on a place in the squad over the summer.
At the moment, that battle appears to be between Foden and Palmer, as the duo look to build up some momentum after a difficult season so far compared to their other counterparts. Foden may need to worry about his position under Tuchel, with Pep Guardiola seemingly favouring other options when Man City need a spark, while the Palmer looked like a million dollars as he was back amongst the goals for Chelsea this weekend.
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On top of that battle for a place in the squad, John Cross has seen eight other England players across Arsenal vs Chelsea and Liverpool vs Manchester City. Here, Cross gives his latest verdict on these selected players and how likely they are right now to be ‘on the plane’ in the summer.
There’s the chance to have a go at picking Tuchel’s squad – so get involved.
Marc Guehi
Match rating: 8/10.
He was so good at Anfield. Yes, he got booked for a pull back but he looked calm, composed and so strong. He is a Rolls Royce of a defender.
He makes City’s defence look so much better and they saw out long spells of pressure. He will be one of the best defenders at the tournament.
Current form: 7/10
Overall, Guehi looks in outstanding form. He has gone to City, made a positive impact and that says much about his quality.
England squad rating: 9/10
He will start the World Cup in central defence – absolutely no question. He is top quality. Thomas Tuchel may have had doubts initially but has quickly seen that he, and Ezri Konsa, are England’s best pairing.
Marc Guehi is surely set to start for England at the World Cup(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images))
Nico O’Reilly
Match rating: 6/10.
He was in midfield again – Rayan Ait-Nouri is starting at left back – and his strength, power and determination made him quite a force. I’m not sure on his quality on the ball but he is a physical presence.
Current form: 6/10
His form and recent performances are the reason that even when Rayan Ait-Nouri is back, City have made room for him in midfield. That is quite a compliment that Pep Guardiola finds room in midfield.
England squad rating: 9/10
He is in pole position for the left back slot and, unless anything dramatic happens, he is nailed-on for the first game against Croatia. His versatility playing midfield and left back gives him another string to his bow.
Phil Foden
Match rating: N/a
Substitute again – and this time did not get on.
Current form: 6/10
This is the bigger worry. He has been eased out by Antoine Semenyo. When City needed something extra, they brought on Rayan Cherki. That has to be a worry.
England squad rating: 7/10
One big name is going to miss out. Will it be Bellingham, Rogers, Foden or Palmer? They cannot all go. One who is either not playing well or just plain unlucky will not go. Foden remains in danger. It might be between Foden and Palmer.
Phil Foden is battling Cole Palmer for a place in the side(Image: (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
Curtis Jones
Match rating: 6/10.
He was a substitute at Anfield – and only came on in the 85th minute – but he made a difference with his positive runs, drive to get forward and ability to run from midfield. He was playing in front of Thomas Tuchel – and showed his quality.
Current form: 6/10
This is the bigger worry. He is just not starting regularly and that is the problem. He was flavour of the month not so long back and a big prospect for England… but with few minutes, it is hard to stake a claim.
England squad rating: 6/10
The chances are against him because other midfield runners – those who can break from midfield to join up the attacks – like Elliot Anderson have moved ahead of him.
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Cole Palmer
Match rating: 6/10
He was a substitute at Arsenal and was brought on to be the cavalry at the Emirates – but then did not deliver. He had one big chance – a free kick – which he put over. Chelsea’s game plan was to stay in the game and then look for their match winners to do the business late on. He didn’t. Then four days later, he scored a hat trick at Wolves and looked a million dollars.
Current form: 7/10
His form has been in and out to put it mildly. That is all down to injuries and the hangover from playing too many games and not having enough of a break. Chelsea need to manage him and using him as a sub at Arsenal did not bring rewards – but you could argue it did four days later at Wolves.
England squad rating: 7/10
If he stays fit and also plays and gets minutes, then he is hard to resist. Especially when you consider he was so influential – albeit as a substitute – in the last Euros. It’s a big call but it may be a straight choice between Foden and Palmer.
Cole Palmer played a vital role for England as a substitute in the Euros(Image: (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))
Noni Madueke
Match rating: 6/10
The Arsenal winger is getting his chance now because of Bukayo Saka’s injury absence and he is blowing a little hot and cold. He was good at Leeds, solid against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and then lukewarm against Sunderland. He has to seize these chances – like he did earlier in the season when Saka was out – and you feel he is gripping it but not very tightly.
Current form: 6/10
Patchy. He was signed specifically to attack defences with a low block. Arsenal like his ability to get past and behind stubborn defences. And he is having mixed results.
England squad rating: 7/10
A non-mover really based on his own form but Jarrod Bowen’s improved performances and West Ham’s better results are probably a worry….
Noni Madueke is not guaranteed a place in the squad(Image: (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images))
Eberechi Eze
Match rating: 6/10
He started against Chelsea and then came on against Sunderland. He did everything well against Chelsea without owning the game. Against Sunderland, you could see that Mikel Arteta was infuriated with the defensive side of his game as he gave away a late free kick.
Current form: 5/10
He was decent against Chelsea without setting the world alight and was clearly expected to be back up and competition for Martin Odegaard. Unfortunately, Kai Havertz is the preferred option right now – and it is easy to see why. He is top quality and ahead of Eze.
England squad rating: 5/10
In serious danger of becoming one of England’s biggest casualties. Moved to Arsenal to go to another level – and it’s not worked out like that. Others are ahead of him as a No10 and on the left. His best hope is his versatility.
WATCH: Check out episode one of our World Cup podcast Make Football Great Again
Declan Rice
Match rating: 8/10
This guy! His energy is unbelievable. In the 97th minute of an intense, gruelling Carabao Cup semi final second leg, he was the one breaking forward with a lung-busting run and then providing the assist for Kai Havertz to score the last gasp clincher. He was equally energetic against Sunderland four days later.
Current form: 9/10
He is surely in the mix for all of the Player of the Year gongs. He is having the season of his life. His fellow pros will surely vote for him in the PFA awards and he must be an early favourite for the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. Who is playing better?
England squad rating: 10/10
The only danger to him not starting is injury and the biggest fear must be an injury from a pulled muscle or hamstring because he never ever stops. When the radio commentary said against Sunderland that he was stretching out his hamstrings, the whole Arsenal fan base probably breaths sighs of sheer dread.
Declan Rice remains in Thomas Tuchel’s strongest England XI(Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Trevoh Chalobah
Match rating: 7/10.
He was solid in the middle of a back three – definitely a back five – at Arsenal and showed good maturity, leadership and strength. He is really growing and, considering that Thomas Tuchel knows and likes him from Chelsea connections, he is definitely one to watch.
Current form: 6/10
He is solid and reliable. Liam Rosenior champions young players and there is a big chance opening up for him to prove his worth between now and the summer.
England squad rating: 7/10
With injuries and form issues, Chalobah has a real chance to stake a claim in what has become a competitive area in central defence. But you would argue that only Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are the only ones who are absolutely stitched on.
Liam Delap
Match rating: 5/10
He actually started on the right of the front three at Arsenal – he has often been shunted wide – to make way for Joao Pedro. He did not do enough and he also lacks the sort of finesse to play wide. He is a classic No9 but is not playing there enough.
Current form: 5/10
Mixed. He was just OK at Arsenal and was then a substitute at Wolves. Is not enough of a threat as a physical force or striker.
England squad rating: 4/10
His chances were always slim – and they are fading fast. Maybe one for the future.
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Full England player ratings
Here’s John Cross’s latest ratings for how likely each player is to make the England squad (ranked out of 10)
The players are ranked in order in their positions.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford: 10/10Dean Henderson 8/10Nick Pope 6/10James Trafford 5/10Aaron Ramsdale 3/10
Right Backs
Reece James 9/10Trent Alexander-Arnold 5/10Rico Lewis 4/10Ben White 3/10
Left Backs
Nico O’Reilly 9/10Lewis Hall 8/10Tino Livramento 7/10Djed Spence 6/10Luke Shaw 5/10Myles Lewis-Skelly 3/10Jack Hinshelwood 2/10
Lewis Hall has two England caps to his name(Image: (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images))
Central Defenders
Ezri Konsa 9/10Marc Guehi 9/10Jarell Quansah 8/10John Stones 7/10Dan Burn 7/10Trevoh Chalobah 7/10Harry Maguire 5/10Jarrad Branthwaite 4/10Levi Colwill 3/10
Midfielders
Elliot Anderson 10/10Declan Rice 10/10Jordan Henderson 9/10Kobbie Mainoo 7/10Adam Wharton 6/10Curtis Jones 6/10Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10Conor Gallagher 5/10Mason Mount 4/10Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3/10
Jordan Henderson has represented the Three Lions at six major tournaments(Image: (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images))
Right Forwards
Bukayo Saka 9/10Noni Madueke 7/10Jarrod Bowen 6/10
Left Forwards
Anthony Gordon 8/10Marcus Rashford 8/10Eberechi Eze 5/10
No10s
Morgan Rogers 9/10Jude Bellingham 9/10Phil Foden 7/10Cole Palmer 7/10
Strikers
Harry Kane 10/10Ollie Watkins 8/10Dominic Solanke 6/10Danny Welbeck 6/10Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/10Liam Delap 4/10
Talking Point players
Lewis Hall – fast riser. The Newcastle left back is making a strong case as the back-up option to Nico O’Reilly. He was certainly not amazing against Brentford but he is tenacious, determined and looked strong.
James Garner – did you clock it? There was Thomas Tuchel at Craven Cottage and it is easy to assume that the England manager was there to do a routine check on Jordan Pickford (who made some good, solid saves). But Everton have been banging the drum for James Garner for a while thanks to his all-action midfield displays. He was good again at Craven Cottage as Everton fought back from 1-0 down to win 2-1. Are we missing something in front of our eyes?
Harry Maguire – he is 33 next month and, my word, he is playing a key role in Michael Carrick’s Manchester United revival. But it is hard to imagine that, despite his wealth of experience, that he is in England’s thoughts for the World Cup. He is playing well but, considering his injury issues, can you really put him back in serious contention?
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