England at the World Cup 2026
England arrive at the 2026 World Cup under their first foreign manager — Thomas Tuchel, the 52-year-old German appointed in October 2024 after Gareth Southgate's resignation following the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. Tuchel's hiring was controversial in the British media, but his Champions League CV (winner with Chelsea 2021), Premier League experience, and tactical reputation made him the FA's preferred candidate over Eddie Howe.
The squad is the deepest English generation in modern memory. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, captain) leads the line — England's all-time top scorer at 67 international goals, and the most decisive big-tournament centre-forward since Gary Lineker. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) plays as the No. 10, with Declan Rice (Arsenal) anchoring midfield. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) emerged through the qualifying campaign as the most-improved English midfielder. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) provide width.
Defensively, John Stones (Manchester City) and Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) partner at centre-back, with Reece James (Chelsea) at right-back and 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) at left-back as the breakout name of the qualifying campaign. Jordan Pickford is the goalkeeper — at 32, with a Premier League season at Everton behind him, and one of the most-tested net minders at the tournament.
England's group L opening match against Croatia at AT&T Stadium on 17 June is the most psychologically loaded fixture in the tournament — a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final that Croatia won 2-1 in extra time. England have not beaten Croatia in a knockout match. Tuchel will be hoping to rewrite that pattern.
Outright odds — England to win World Cup 2026
Group L fixtures
All three group-stage matches for England at World Cup 2026 with current odds from our partner books.
Squad & predicted XI
Pickford · James, Stones, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly · Rice, E. Anderson, M. Rogers · Saka, Kane (c), Bellingham
Formation: 4-3-3 · Coach: Thomas Tuchel
| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Kane | Striker (captain) | Bayern Munich | 108 | 67 |
| Jude Bellingham | Attacking midfielder | Real Madrid | 36 | 5 |
| Declan Rice | Defensive midfielder | Arsenal | 58 | 5 |
| Bukayo Saka | Right winger | Arsenal | 44 | 13 |
| Jordan Pickford | Goalkeeper | Everton | 75 | 0 |
| John Stones | Centre-back | Manchester City | 82 | 3 |
| Reece James | Right-back | Chelsea | 20 | 0 |
| Phil Foden | Attacking midfielder (squad rotation) | Manchester City | 47 | 5 |
| Cole Palmer | Forward | Chelsea | 20 | 5 |
| Myles Lewis-Skelly | Left-back (19yo breakout) | Arsenal | 12 | 0 |
How England qualified for World Cup 2026
England's qualifying campaign was clinical. They won UEFA Group D with all eight matches won, scoring 22 goals and conceding just 3. Notable results included a 5-1 home win over Italy at Wembley (Bellingham hat-trick), 4-0 over Greece in Athens, and 3-0 over Israel in Bucharest (held at a neutral venue due to ongoing conflicts).
Prior to qualifying, England lost the Euro 2024 final 2-1 to Spain in Berlin — their second consecutive European Championship final defeat, after the 2020 (held in 2021) penalty loss to Italy at Wembley. Tuchel was appointed five months after that loss. The squad has been refreshed at the margins (Trent Alexander-Arnold dropped, Henderson omitted), but the spine of the team is the same as Euro 2024.
In March 2026 friendlies, England drew 1-1 with Uruguay (Bellingham equaliser late), beat Japan 2-1 in a Tokyo training match, and beat Italy 3-0 in a rematch friendly. The form is solid but the schedule has been light. Tuchel will not have many minutes to gauge fitness before the opener.
World Cup history
England have won the World Cup once — at home in 1966, beating West Germany 4-2 in extra time at Wembley with Geoff Hurst's hat-trick (the only hat-trick in a World Cup final, still). They have also famously not won a major tournament since — 60 years now, the longest title drought of any major footballing nation. England were Euro 2020 runners-up (held in 2021), Euro 2024 runners-up, and World Cup 2018 fourth place.
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Qatar | Quarter-finals (lost to France 2-1) |
| 2018 | Russia | 4th place (lost SF to Croatia in extra time) |
| 2014 | Brazil | Group stage exit |
| 2010 | South Africa | Round of 16 (lost to Germany 4-1) |
| 2006 | Germany | Quarter-finals (lost to Portugal on penalties) |
| 2002 | Japan/South Korea | Quarter-finals (lost to Brazil 2-1) |
| 1998 | France | Round of 16 (lost to Argentina on penalties) |
| 1990 | Italy | 4th place (Gascoigne tears, lost SF to West Germany on penalties) |
| 1986 | Mexico | Quarter-finals (Maradona's 'Hand of God', 'Goal of the Century') |
| 1982 | Spain | Second round |
| 1966 | England | 🏆 Champions (beat West Germany 4-2 at home with Geoff Hurst hat-trick) |
| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Kane | All-time top scorer (active captain) | Bayern Munich | 108 | 67 |
| Wayne Rooney | Striker (retired 2018) | Retired | 120 | 53 |
| Bobby Charlton | Striker (1958-1970) | Retired | 106 | 49 |
| Gary Lineker | Striker (1984-1992) | Retired | 80 | 48 |
| Jimmy Greaves | Striker (1959-1967) | Retired | 57 | 44 |
| Peter Shilton | Most-capped (1970-1990) | Retired | 125 | 0 |
FAQ
Who is England's coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Thomas Tuchel, the 52-year-old German appointed on 16 October 2024. Tuchel is the second-ever foreign coach of the England senior men's team (after Sven-Göran Eriksson 2001-2006 and Fabio Capello 2008-2012). He won the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea and has previously coached PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. He replaced Gareth Southgate after the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.
Is Jude Bellingham playing well for England?
Bellingham starts as the central No. 10 in Tuchel's 4-3-3 system. His Real Madrid form was outstanding in the second half of 2025-26 (he scored in three consecutive Champions League knockout matches). He scored a hat-trick against Italy in qualifying and is the third-most-likely England goalscorer behind Kane and Saka at every European-licensed bookmaker.
What group is England in at the World Cup 2026?
England is in Group L alongside Croatia (2018 World Cup semi-final conquerors), Ghana, and Panama. The opening match against Croatia at AT&T Stadium is the most-anticipated England fixture in years — a direct rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final that Croatia won 2-1 in extra time.
Has Harry Kane broken any England goal-scoring records?
Yes. Kane became England's all-time leading goalscorer in March 2023, breaking Wayne Rooney's record of 53. He stands at 67 international goals going into the tournament. He needs just a few more goals to extend his record further beyond what any other Englishman has achieved at senior level.
What are the odds on England to win World Cup 2026?
England are fourth favourites at consensus outright odds around 7.0, behind France (4.0), Argentina (5.5) and Spain (7.5). The market reflects squad depth and Tuchel's tactical pedigree but also genuine doubts about whether the Three Lions can break their 60-year title drought.