England XI vs Croatia: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for World Cup | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel has huge calls to make as Three Lions prepare for Group L opener

Thomas Tuchel is making final decisions on who to name in his starting lineup for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.

The Three Lions begin their Group L campaign against familiar opponents at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday.

Tuchel said last week that he has “14 or 15 starters”, which leaves him with a few positions that are closely contested and where he must make a big call.

Among them is at No10, where Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are fighting for the same spot.

The team Tuchel selected to start last Wednesday’s 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in Orlando is expected to be close to the one picked for the tournament opener a week on, and that would indicate it will be Bellingham over Rogers.

No10 dilemma: Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are vying for the same England starting spot against Croatia

It remains to be seen if Barca will make the Manchester United forward’s own deal permanent, which provides an extra subplot to a closely-run race to start for England.

The centre-back position is not nailed down yet either, with Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ezri Konsa fighting for two places.

While many expect Guehi to be one of the pair who start, it was Konsa and Stones who began the Costa Rica game in another potential indication of Tuchel’s thinking for Croatia.

Those who do not start can still have a major impact in England’s crucial opener, with up to five substitutes allowed and Tuchel known to be a big believer in “finishers” off the bench.