Alan Shearer Exclusive: Who will be in England's starting XI for the World Cup? | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel does not care about reputations; he cares about winning the World Cup

We don't know the circumstances of why and what happened with Ben White and Gareth Southgate or whoever it was, Gareth's assistant. And people are always quick to jump to conclusions of why Ben White shouldn't be given another opportunity. I would like to hear his side of the story before I actually say something on the matter because there's always two sides to the story.

What I am really interested in is the situation with Trent, I mean it's a proper snub for Trent that Tuchel has given someone who didn't want to play for England for whatever reason a chance over him, given Trent's ability in the same position, that I think is more of a talking point.

I don't think that's a bad thing. There's going to be players that are upset because with the number of 10s that we've got, he can't take everyone. With the right backs that we have, we've got Reece James, you've got Tino Livramento, Trent and you've got Ben White. And again, he's only going to take two for every position, I think.

That's what he gets paid for, is to make the big calls. We can all discuss and we can all agree and disagree but at the end of the day it's his decision that matters because he has to win the World Cup for us and that's why he's been hired. He hasn't been hired to be nice and to be kind, he's been hired to do one job which is to win the World Cup and the Euros and there are going to be players that are upset and we are going to disagree and agree but that's part of being the England manager, you have to accept that and I don't think that'll bother him one bit to be honest.

I think what we can take from this manager is that he won't care about reputations. The only thing he cares about is winning the World Cup with England or winning the Euros in the next tournament, which is obviously what he signed up for as well. I don't think that's a bad thing. He knows he's going to be judged on that. So, he's well within his rights to pick whoever he wants, but he's got one thing on his mind which is to win the World Cup, and he's not worried about who or what he upsets.

This international break gives players a big opportunity to stake their claim for the World Cup

Uruguay will be a good marker for us on Friday to see where we are. Thomas Tuchel is obviously going to tweak it a bit with players that he's brought in. I like the idea of what he has done with the 35-man squad in terms of giving players a bit of a rest for one game and then the rest of them will come in for the next. It'll be difficult to gauge where we are because I guess there's going to be a lot of players in either 11 that might not even be in the 26-man squad that he's going to take to the USA, Mexico and Canada.

But what it does do is, gives a good opportunity for one or two. I guess he's got the vast majority in his mind of who he wants to take already, but there might just be a spot for one or two that can make a late push.

England can win the 2026 World Cup

I believe England can win the World Cup. When you look at our talent, when you look at the players fighting for positions, then yeah. If you go through the squad, then yeah, England have got a really, really good chance to win it. But then, so have France, so have Spain alongside others who will be thinking that they're the same as well.

France have got a huge amount of talent and Spain have got a ridiculous amount of talent as well. As have Portugal. They'll all be seeing what we're seeing and obviously clearly only one can win it, but we go into it with a real proper chance here.

O'Reilly and Hall will be vying for that left back spot

O'Reilly has played a lot of the season for Man City. Obviously, Pep has played him in midfield as well as left-back in that Madrid game and got done for one goal. But all right, you made an error but so what? It's great that we have two great youngsters who are vying for a spot in the team. That's a good thing, isn't it?

They've both had really good seasons him and Lewis Hall. What a weekend O'Reilly had scoring two goals in a cup final. There's no doubt he's a goal threat because of his size and stature but they're two very, very good players going head-to-head for what could be a really important position.

I think for O'Reilly he can do jobs in both positions of defence and midfield. I think that might work in his favour. Having said that, he's got some serious competition in midfield as well with England, so my guess is that it will be him and Lewis Hall that are vying for that left-back spot.

If England are going to be successful then Saka will need to play a huge part

Saka is going be a big player for England. He hasn't quite hit the heights of what we know he can do this season. I don't think we can ever forget about and dismiss his numbers, goals and assists and all of that though, then he hasn't been as hot as what he can be. But I guess if England are to be successful in the summer, he will play a huge part in that.

Harvey Barnes deserves this opportunity with England

I am delighted for Harvey Barnes, he deserves the opportunity, albeit it's because of someone else's misfortune because of injury. But he's one that can go in and can make an impact. I mean, if he does extremely well in training and happens to get a chance in the game, then what an opportunity for him. He's had a good season with Newcastle, so he deserves an opportunity.

Alan's Starting XI

Ahead of the latest international break Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has come up with his starting XI for England's first World Cup game in June...

Jordan PickfordReece JamesMarc GuehiEzri KonsaLewis Hall

Declan RiceElliot Anderson

Morgan Rogers

Bukayo SakaHarry KaneAnthony Gordon

It would be amazing to see Wales and Ireland in the 2026 World Cup

Yeah, it'd be amazing. It'd be brilliant, wouldn't it if Wales and Ireland can both qualify? As tough as it's going to be for them. But I think even when you've seen the support that Wales brings along, it's phenomenal, isn't it? So, it just adds to the atmosphere, and it gives us a bit more to talk about. So, it would be great to see them there.

I think Wales might have a better chance than anyone to qualify for the World Cup. It'll be tough for Ireland because they have to play Italy.