England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas was thrilling, but it left head coach Thomas Tuchel with two big selection headaches: who should start in central defence and who should play on the left wing? As the Three Lions prepare to face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, these decisions could shape the rest of their World Cup campaign.
Tuchel’s side looked vulnerable defensively against Croatia. He picked Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa ahead of Manchester City’s Marc Guehi to partner John Stones. Konsa has been a regular under Tuchel – starting 10 of England’s 15 games under the German, third behind Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane – but he was caught out of position when Croatia scored their second equaliser. Guehi, who Tuchel sold as Chelsea manager in 2021, has only started seven times under him. Some pundits, like former England striker Chris Sutton, have argued that Tuchel should actually pair Konsa and Guehi, leaving out Stones, who is 32 and without a club for next season.
“England's World Cup dilemmas: Tuchel's selection calls and potential Mexico knockout path.”
In attack, Anthony Gordon started on the left against Croatia, but it was substitute Marcus Rashford who scored England’s fourth goal. Rashford’s future is uncertain: Barcelona declined to trigger a £26m clause to make his loan permanent, so from 1 July he will officially return to Manchester United, where his £325,000-a-week contract has two years left. United head coach Michael Carrick has said no decision has been made, but the club’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to cut wage costs, and United have already given Rashford’s number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha. A new Fifa-Fifpro agreement means any player exiled from the main group can demand release and full payment, so ostracising Rashford is off the agenda.
For UK readers, these selection issues matter because they affect England’s chances of progressing deep into the tournament. If England top Group L, their Round of 32 fixture will be in Toronto (9pm UK time), but the likely last-16 opponent would be Mexico – and that match would be played at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, 2,200 metres above sea level. The altitude and pollution make it hard for visiting teams to breathe, and Mexico have lost only twice there in 60 years. The match would kick off at 1am UK time. Alternatively, if England finish second in their group, the Round of 32 would be in Atlanta (12am UK time) and they could face Portugal.
Q: Why is Marc Guehi not starting for England? Tuchel has preferred Ezri Konsa in most games since taking over, starting him 10 times out of 15. Guehi has only started seven times and played 504 minutes – partly because Tuchel, when at Chelsea, sold him to Crystal Palace in July 2021.
Q: Will Marcus Rashford play for Manchester United next season? Barcelona did not trigger a £26m permanent transfer clause, so Rashford will return to United on 1 July with two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract. But United are planning for his departure and have given his squad number to Matheus Cunha.
Q: Who could England face in the knockout stages? If England win Group L, they face a Round of 32 match in Toronto (9pm UK time) against an unknown opponent, then likely Mexico in the last 16 at the Azteca Stadium (1am UK time). If they finish second, their Round of 32 is in Atlanta (12am UK time) and they could meet Portugal.
What happens next? England play Ghana in Boston on Tuesday; a win would secure top spot in Group L. If they top the group, their Round of 32 opponent will be determined by other group results. All subsequent knockout matches (last 16 onwards) are scheduled for 8pm UK kick-offs, which would be favourable for fans back home.