Just over a week before England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas, manager Thomas Tuchel faces some high-stakes decisions that will shape the team's identity. After a 3-0 win over Costa Rica in Orlando—a match delayed by violent thunderstorms—Tuchel admitted he has a strong starting line-up in mind but kept his cards close to his chest, saying "Maybe" when asked if that XI would face Croatia.
The basics: England have completed their World Cup preparations with two friendlies: a 1-0 win over New Zealand and a more convincing 3-0 victory against Costa Rica. Tuchel fielded two different XIs against New Zealand, effectively a "glorified training session", but against Costa Rica he started what is likely close to his first-choice team. The squad now heads to Dallas to face Croatia on 17 June in Group L. The three warm-up matches were held at Florida's Inter&Co Stadium, which experienced severe storms causing a one-hour kick-off delay.
“Explains England's World Cup selection dilemmas under Thomas Tuchel”
Background: Tuchel, a German manager, took over as England head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup. His reign has been marked by healthy competition for two key roles: the attacking midfield number 10 position and the left-wing spot. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) are vying for the number 10 role, with Rogers holding the shirt through much of Tuchel's tenure while Bellingham struggled with shoulder and hamstring injuries. On the left, Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford are competing. Gordon's lack of Premier League minutes late in the season didn't stop him delivering an impressive performance against Costa Rica, scoring England's third goal from a penalty. John Stones also boosted his chances at centre-back, while Declan Rice scored England's first goal from a cut-back by Gordon.
Why it matters for UK readers: England fans are eager to see the team's best XI after a mixed build-up. The Bellingham-Rogers decision is arguably Tuchel's biggest call, with Bellingham showcasing his quality against Costa Rica with a superb through ball and a key role in the second goal. Rogers, however, has been Tuchel's trusted pick. Gordon's strong audition puts pressure on Rashford, while Bukayo Saka's role on the right is also under consideration. Tuchel has about 14 or 15 "starters" in mind, so competition is fierce. The choices will define England's attacking shape and could determine how far the team goes in the tournament.
Q: Will Jude Bellingham start for England at the World Cup? It's a close call. Tuchel has kept faith with Morgan Rogers in recent months, but Bellingham's performance against Costa Rica—where he impressed with his passing and dribbling—strengthened his case. Tuchel often says only one of them can play the number 10 role unless Rogers shifts to the left, which is possible.
Q: Who is likely to play on the left wing for England? Anthony Gordon looks the favourite after scoring and creating chances in the Costa Rica friendly. He started ahead of Marcus Rashford, who had limited minutes. Gordon's sharpness and direct running impressed Tuchel, making him the leading candidate for the left-wing spot against Croatia.
Q: What is England's group stage schedule at the World Cup? England begin their Group L campaign against Croatia on 17 June in Dallas. Their other group opponents and match dates have not been specified in the sources, but the tournament runs through the summer of 2026.
What happens next: Tuchel will name his starting XI for the Croatia match, likely on the day or a day before the game. The Costa Rica friendly gave him a clear picture of his options, but he remains coy, stating his "thoughts at the moment are not for Croatia, they're for here today." The biggest decision—Bellingham or Rogers—will be revealed when England take the field in Dallas on 17 June.