England World Cup squad: Whose position is safe and whose is uncertain after Three Lions confirm qualification? | OneFootball

England have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup after beating Latvia 5-0.

But whose position in Thomas Tuchel’s final squad for the tournament looks safe, and who still has work to do?

We’ve taken a look at what the final World Cup squad could look like for the Three Lions…

Safe

Jordan Pickford

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

England’s number one goalkeeper for many years. He will be on the plane.

Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace’s starting shot stopper provides great back up should anything happen to Pickford.

Reece James

Missed the latest squad through injury but should he continue to stay fit, he will surely travel to America.

Marc Guehi

Has impressed whenever playing for England and continues to get better and better.

John Stones

Struggled with his fitness of late but a fit Stones will surely be too good to leave behind.

Ezri Konsa

Another solid defender who has been a consistent presence in the England squad for a little while.

Elliott Anderson

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Been in terrific form for Nottingham Forest this season and has won Tuchel over with his performances for the Three Lions.

Declan Rice

One of England’s most important players.

Jordan Henderson

Has the trust of Tuchel, despite his selection being criticised from the outside, and it is hard to see him being dropped.

Morgan Rogers

Another who has impressed for England under Tuchel and looks set to go to his first World Cup.

Ebere Eze

Versatility and quality in the attacking third. Has played plenty under Tuchel.

Anthony Gordon

England lack good options on the left wing which surely makes Gordon’s selection a guarantee.

Harry Kane

England’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Latvia back in March (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

England’s captain and talisman.

Bukayo Saka

A phenomenal player who will more than likely start for England.

Cole Palmer

Also missed the last England squad because of his groin injury but will be hoping to get back fit soon and get back to his outstanding best before the tournament.

Possible

James Trafford

Will probably travel as England’s third choice goalkeeper but that could change if he does not play much for his club.

Dan Burn

The jury is still out on Burn’s inclusion.

Trevoh Chalobah

Did well when called into the England squad but has not been at his best for Chelsea this season.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

A lack of game time for Arsenal could cost him, as Tuchel himself has said.

Tino Livramento

Injury struggles make him a doubt.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Yet to win the trust of Tuchel and was left out of his latest squad.

Djed Spence

Has taken his opportunity with England after forcing his way into the Spurs side.

Jarrell Quansah

Yet to make his England debut despite being in several squads.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Another talented attacking player, but they cannot all go to the tournament.

Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Surprisingly left out of the last England squad despite having previously established himself as one of the country’s best players. Would be a surprise if he does not go, however.

Adam Wharton

An exciting talent but yet to really force his way into the senior squad.

Phil Foden

Looks to be getting back to his best but has not really delivered in an England shirt.

Marcus Rashford

Tuchel has been keen to keep giving him a chance and while he has done pretty well, he is not a guarantee.

Noni Madueke

One of England’s best players over the September international break but competition is fierce and he is currently sidelined through injury. Will likely still go to the tournament, however.

Jarrod Bowen

Been in great form for a struggling West Ham side but again, could fall victim to the competition for places.

Ollie Watkins

The most obvious back up option for Kane but not guaranteed.

Work to do

Luke Shaw

Not been fancied by Tuchel so far.

Lewis Hall

Injuries have halted his progress with the national team.

Ivan Toney

Not playing at a high enough level.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Given a chance of late but there are better options.

Nick Pope

Will be hoping to make it as the third choice goalie.

Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones celebrates with Myles Lewis-Skelly (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Looks to be lagging behind in the battle for which midfielders will go. Not a regular for his club unlike others.

Jarrad Branthwaite

Yet to play this season because of an injury.

Rico Lewis

Has been used in the U21 squad instead of late amid competition at full-back.

Outside shouts

James Tarkwoski

Not played for England since 2018 despite impressing for Everton.

Ben White

Yet to earn a recall after leaving the England camp back in the Qatar World Cup.

Harry Maguire

Looks to have lost his place in the squad.

Archie Gray

Needs more game time for Tottenham to be considered.

Lewis Cook

Impressed for Bournemouth but has a lot of competition in midfield.

Joe Gomez

A valuable utility option in defence in previous tournaments but a lack of game time for Liverpool could cost him.

Liam Delap

Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Needs a strong run of goalscoring form when he returns from injury.

Tyrone Mings

An ever present at the back for Aston Villa but his last cap came in 2023.

Harvey Elliott

Needs to show what he can really do at Villa.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo vs Serbia (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Not a preferred starter at Manchester United. Impressed for England at Euro 2024.

James Garner

Has played very well for Everton but still has a long way to go to be called up.

Mason Mount

Recently returned to fitness for Man Utd but would take a fantastic run of form for him to be called up.

Aaron Ramsdale

Not playing enough for Newcastle.

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Out with an ankle injury and will take him time to get back to his best when he does return.

Ethan Nwaneri

Probably will not play enough for Arsenal to earn a call up.

Tyrick Mitchell

Has impressed for Palace but has not played for England since 2022.

Fikayo Tomori

A regular for AC Milan but has a way to go to work his way back into the squad.

Predicted final 26-man squad

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Henderson, Trafford

Defenders: James, Guehi, Stones, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly, Burn, Spence

Midfielders: Rice, Anderson, Henderson, Bellingham, Gibbs-White, Wharton

Attackers: Saka, Rogers, Eze, Gordon, Palmer, Kane, Watkins, Madueke, Rashford, Foden