Thomas Tuchel Faces Croatia National Football Team Decisions Before June 17

England open their 2026 World Cup campaign against the croatia national football team at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday June 17 at 9pm, and Thomas Tuchel still has final selection calls to make. The key decisions sit in midfield, on both wings, and at centre back before Group L begins.

Tuchel weighs his front line

Three positions stand out after England’s 3-0 win against Costa Rica in their final warm-up match. Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are battling for the first-choice No 10 role, while Noni Madueke started on the right wing against Costa Rica.

Bukayo Saka managed his minutes in that match because of an Achilles issue, and Anthony Gordon has made huge strides forward in his battle with Marcus Rashford for the left wing. That leaves Tuchel with decisions across the top of the pitch just days before England face Croatia.

Stones and Konsa shift the picture

The back line is no simpler. Tuchel partnered Ezri Konsa and John Stones together against Costa Rica, even though Marc Guehi had been assumed by some to be a nailed-on starter at centre back.

That pairing has changed the look of the discussion for the opener in Dallas. Stones now sits at the center of the selection debate because Tuchel has to decide whether he wants experience, familiarity, or the continuity shown in the final warm-up.

Group L begins in Dallas

England go into Group L with a short runway after the Costa Rica match, so the lineup against Croatia will reveal how Tuchel wants to start the tournament. Callum Bishop said, "Stones is the calm presence England need to command a backline with less major tournament experience than is desirable."

He also said, "While I think Tuchel would want to start Stones next to Guehi, he needs more time to get up to speed." That leaves the final XI shaped by form, fitness, and the choices Tuchel made in the last warm-up rather than by reputation alone.