Tuchel Faces Final Calls as England Line Up for Croatia — England Line Up
England line up for their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday June 17 at 9pm, and Thomas Tuchel still has calls to make in midfield, on both wings and at the heart of defence. The Group L match arrives after a 3-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica, but the shape of England’s first tournament XI is still being worked through.
Tuchel and the midfield race
Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are battling for the No 10 shirt, leaving one of England’s most important attacking roles open going into the opener. Tuchel is also weighing Noni Madueke on the right after he started there against Costa Rica, while Bukayo Saka has managed his minutes because of an Achilles issue.
Saka said, “I am fit and ready to play,” but added, “I wouldn't go against what the head coach has said” and “I am not ready to play a full 90 minutes.” That leaves England with a selection call that is about more than form. It is about how much load the forward can take from the first whistle in Dallas.
Rashford and Gordon on the left
Anthony Gordon has made huge strides in his battle with Marcus Rashford for the left-wing role. Rashford, though, is being viewed as the man in the best physical shape, the most impressive form in training and the most positive mindset anyone has seen for many years.
That leaves Tuchel with a straight choice between a winger who has surged and one whose preparation is drawing strong reviews. England’s opener does not give much room for hesitation, especially with the head coach still finalising more than one spot in the side.
Stones, Guehi and Konsa
Marc Guehi has been seen as a nailed-on starter at centre back for some time, but the partner beside him is still in play. John Stones or Ezri Konsa have been considered possible options, and Tuchel paired Konsa and Stones together against Costa Rica.
Callum Bishop called Stones “the calm presence England need to command a backline with less major tournament experience than is desirable.” He also said, “Tuchel can at least be assured of balance in and out of possession,” and added, “The defensive department is the area that worries me most in terms of England's chances of going deep in the competition, and a solid partnership needs to be built from the off.”
Those calls now sit in front of England’s first match of Group L, with Croatia waiting in Dallas and the lineup still not fully settled. The friendly win over Costa Rica gave Tuchel one look at a possible defensive pairing, but the opener will show whether he keeps that shape or reshapes the side again before the tournament begins in earnest.
