Each co host has now played their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Mexico kicked things off with a win over South Africa. Canada battled to a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The USA have been the most impressive so far, thumping Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles.
As excitement grows with every game, England will have to be patient and wait until 17 June before their tournament finally begins. They face a tricky fixture too, Croatia, the same nation that sent them home at the semi final stage in Russia 2018.
Thomas Tuchel had a big enough task when naming his 26 man squad, notably leaving Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer at home. But his job becomes more complicated now as he must select his first starting XI for the summer tournament.
A report from BBC Sport appears to have already ‘leaked’ a few key decisions made by the German ahead of the Croatia match.
The Bellingham call
One of the big talking points has revolved around the attack. While captain Harry Kane will obviously start, Tuchel has a big call to make regarding the man who will play in the No.10 role behind the striker.
In five international games across 2025 and 2026, Aston Villa ace Morgan Rogers has been trusted in that position. When he starts, though, it means Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has to controversially settle for a spot on the bench.
In the two World Cup warm ups, Rogers was given the nod against New Zealand, before Bellingham was handed the start against Costa Rica. It appears Tuchel has now made a final call.
Journalist Sami Mokbel wrote: “Well, there is certainly a sense within the camp that the team that started in Orlando, barring maybe one or two exceptions, will be the side that begins the tournament.
“Crucially, that would mean Jude Bellingham is set to win the race ahead of Morgan Rogers to play in the coveted No.10 role.”
The centre back pairing
With BBC ‘sources’ indicating that the team that started in the 3-0 win over Costa Rica will be close to the team Tuchel picks against Croatia, that also means the German has made a big call regarding his centre back partnership.
John Stones lined up alongside Harry Maguire for many years, but Marc Guehi took the Manchester United man’s place at Euro 2024. However, it looks as though Ezri Konsa will now start at the 2026 World Cup.
Indeed, the Aston Villa man lined up alongside Stones against Costa Rica, which suggests Tuchel has decided this will be his defensive pairing for the opening match. This may surprise some, especially as Guehi spent the last six months playing at Manchester City with Stones.
The BBC explain: “But there is an emerging feeling that Tuchel prefers more physicality in his central defensive pairing, with Stones and Konsa bigger than Guehi.”
Saka’s fitness
The report also mentions that a “fully fit Bukayo Saka would almost certainly” start ahead of Noni Madueke, but that depends on the player’s fitness. He only came off the bench against Costa Rica, and that could happen again against Croatia, although it’s felt that Saka could start even if he isn’t fit enough to finish the match.
The bottom line
Bellingham over Rogers. Konsa over Guehi. Saka if fit.
Those are the calls. Those are the ‘leaks’.
England have been here before. The semi final against Croatia in 2018 still haunts. Now they have a chance for revenge.
Tuchel has made his decisions. The team is taking shape. And on Wednesday night, we’ll find out if the ‘leaks’ were accurate and if England can start their World Cup campaign with a statement win.
