In a new weekly series, chief football writer John Cross provides the latest England player ratings for Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Coby Mainoo and Harry Maguire are aiming to break into England’s World Cup squad.
The England head coach traveled to West Ham in the week Thomas Tuchel extended his contract beyond the World Cup, but he couldn’t help but be impressed by the three key figures who have helped Manchester United’s resurgence.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were mainstays under former England manager Gareth Southgate, while Cobie Mainoo was a big star at the last Euros.
However, last year, coach Tuchel named an England national team that was missing a single Manchester United player, which made Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in world football, feel that it had lost its reputation.
United veteran Maguire, who will be 33 by the time of the World Cup, is out of contract in the summer but has been instrumental in Michael Carrick’s turnaround.
Surely it’s too late for Maguire? Maguire is an absolute necessity for Southgate, who missed out on him at the last Euros as he struggled to prove his fitness for the game.
His composure on the ball, threat from set-pieces and power in the air when defending could still make him a force.
Mark Guehi and Ezri Konsa are the hot favorites to be the first-choice starting pair in the United States. John Stones is likely to join Manchester City if he proves his suitability.
Dan Byrne is also a player that Tuchel is keeping an eye on, but to be honest, he never looks comfortable and is always breathing hard.
But Tuchel loves Byrne’s spirit and believes he is a great character to have in his team, and his 6ft 7in frame means he is a big threat at set-pieces, which could be important in the hot summer in the US.
Could Byrne and Maguire both be selected for the same team?
Maguire’s pace is currently Tuchel’s biggest concern, but his reading of the game means he rarely moves out of position.
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Shaw will turn 31 during next summer’s World Cup and his fitness has been a long-standing concern for England. But if he stays fit and plays well, he could make a strong case for being England’s best natural left-back.
But can we trust him to make the 26? At the last Euros, Southgate named Shaw despite not being fit to start the tournament.
His teammate Mainu was a revelation at the Euros, becoming a starter as the tournament progressed, and his rise from United graduate to England star was as rapid as it was important.
Mainu’s absence from United’s set-up under manager Ruben Amorim meant he was banished from England simply for not playing.
However, his return under caretaker manager Carrick is sure to put him in the spotlight once again, alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Elliott Anderson.
Tune in or out of the England team slider below and let us know what you think…
This week, Cross watched the draw between West Ham and Manchester United and saw four players – Maguire, Maynou, Shaw and Jarrod Bowen – trying to impress the waiting Tuchel.
Here, Cross gives his latest verdict on these selected players and how likely they are to be “on the plane” this summer.
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Coby Mainu
Match Rating: 6/10
This wasn’t his best match, but it’s still much better than before. He is cautious and calm with the ball. Trying to make things happen.
Current form: 7/10
His return was hugely popular among United fans who love the academy graduate, and he appears to be rejuvenated after being left erratic and unhappy under manager Ruben Amorim. His areas of expertise are defending the ball, retaining the ball, advancing the ball and moving forward. He’s doing it again – and it could be key for England.
England team rating: 7/10
From not having a chance and being out in the cold, he has risen rapidly. No doubt he will play in a friendly in March to prove himself to Thomas Tuchel.
Coby Mainu has returned to Manchester United’s midfield under new head coach Michael Carrick (Image: Getty Images)
Jarrod Bowen
Match Rating: 8/10
He was brilliant and was key to West Ham’s turnaround in results and their push to avoid dropping down the table. He was the key to Tomas Soucek’s opening goal. Bowen cleverly used his body and strength to spread the pitch, and his low cross assisted Suke to score.
Current form: 7/10
Bowen is rediscovering his form and confidence – you can see it right before his eyes.
England team rating: 7/10
His mission seems simple. It looks like it will be a head-to-head battle between Bowen and Noni Maduke for the right-wing man behind Bukayo Saka. Madueke’s form has been patchy, while Bowen has been disappointing so far by his standards. He is on the rise again.
WATCH: Check out episode 1 of our World Cup podcast ‘Make Football Great Again’
Full assessment of England players
Here’s John Cross’ latest assessment of each player’s chances of being selected for England (ranked on a 10-point scale)
Players are ranked by position.
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 Lewis Hall 8/10 Tino Libramento 7/10 Luke Shaw 6/10 Jed Spence 6/10 Miles Lewis-Skelly 3/10 Jack Hinshelwood 2/10
central defender
Ezri Konsa 9/10 Mark Gehi 9/10 Jarrell Quansah 8/10 John Stones 7/10 Dan Byrne 7/10 Trevor Chalobah 7/10 Harry Maguire 6/10 Jarrad Branthwaite 4/10 Levi Colwill 3/10
midfielder
Elliott Anderson 10/10 Declan Rice 10/10 Jordan Henderson 9/10 Coby Mainu 7/10 Adam Wharton 6/10 Curtis Jones 6/10 Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10 Conor Gallagher 5/10 Mason Mount 4/10 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3/10
right forward
Bukayo Saka 9/10 Noni Maduke 7/10 Jarrod Bowen 7/10
left forward
Anthony Gordon 8/10 Marcus Rashford 8/10 Eberechi Eze 5/10
No10s
Morgan Rogers 9/10 Jude Bellingham 9/10 Phil Foden 7/10 Cole Palmer 7/10
strikers
Harry Kane 10/10 Ollie Watkins 8/10 Dominic Solanke 6/10 Danny Welbeck 6/10 Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/10 Liam Delap 4/10
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