BBC Sport's McNulty picks his World Cup England squad - do you agree?

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty picks his 26-man England World Cup squad. BBC Sport's McNulty picks his World Cup England squad - do you agree?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England head coach Thomas Tuchel will name a 26-man squad for the World CupByPhil McNultyChief football writerPublished30 minutes ago150 CommentsEngland concluded the so-called 'Send-Off Series' before the World Cup with defeat against Japan at Wembley.Head coach Thomas Tuchel named a split 35-man squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan to get a close-up look at his wider England options.He must whittle that number down to 26 as England accelerate planning for their opening World Cup game against Croatia on 17 June in Arlington, Texas.Tuchel will digest the food for thought that England's friendlies have given him as he finalises his plans.He will then make his picks - but for now this is my 26-man England squad to take to the World Cup.GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.DEFENDERS: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Lewis Hall.MIDFIELD: Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo.FORWARDS: Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Danny Welbeck, Jarrod Bowen.What information do we collect from this quiz?Failed experiment as England get grim glimpse of life without KanePublished11 hours agoThree top-20 teams played, no wins. Should Tuchel be concerned?Published11 hours agoOn the planeJordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke.Tuchel will have the vast majority of his squad already fixed in his mind and those certain selections form an experienced bedrock he will count on at the World Cup.England's spine will be familiar trusted lieutenants of both Tuchel and his predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate, such as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and Manchester City's Marc Guehi alongside club-mate John Stones if fit. And of course the other mainstays, Declan Rice and Harry Kane.Ezri Konsa has proved he is perfectly at home at international level and is likely to start alongside Guehi if Stones does not make it.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The fitness of John Stones will be under scrutiny as the World Cup approaches - a class act with great experience at major tournamentsArsenal's Rice will be the high-class hub of England's midfield, with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa fighting for the number 10 position. Bellingham would be my starter.England captain and all-time record scorer Kane remains irreplaceable - as shown against Uruguay and Japan - as the main striker, while Bukayo Saka's quality and major tournament experience make him an automatic choice.What information do we collect from this quiz?BBC Sport experts choose England World Cup XIs - who would you pick?Published2 days agoAlmost thereJames Trafford, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Jarrod Bowen.Jordan Pickford remains unchallenged as England's first choice, while Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson has emerged as a confident and able deputy.James Trafford gets the nod as the third keeper because he is not only a future England number one, but he demonstrated his sound temperament in Manchester City's Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal at Wembley.He is vastly superior to Newcastle United pair Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale, making his inclusion an easy decision.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Manchester City's James Trafford has shown enough to be the third goalkeeper England head coach Thomas Tuchel takes to the World CupTino Livramento's ability to play at full-back on both sides will make him a valuable member of the squad, while West Ham's Jarrod Bowen goes not just because of his ability, but because his attitude and selflessness are vital ingredients in a squad environment at a major tournament.Stones is only mentioned in this grouping because there are continuing doubts about his fitness. If fit, he is not only in my squad but starts.The great number nine decline - where have England's strikers gone?Published13 November 2025Work to doHarry Maguire, Lewis Hall, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Danny Welbeck.Harry Maguire looks to have a fight on his hands to make the squad after Tuchel appeared to suggest four defenders were ahead of him in the pecking order, in Stones, Guehi, Konsa and - surprisingly - Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah.This should not be the case.The first three have been established since Maguire fell away from the England scene, but he is now back and has proved his worth and strength of character.Given Stones' fragility, Maguire would be a common-sense pick, if not as a first choice, then as exper