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England World Cup Squad 2026: Full 26-Player Roster

The England World Cup Squad 2026 will finish the tournament in the third place playoff. Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions led Argentina in the semifinal through Anthony Gordon before two late headers ended their run, and they now face France in Miami on Saturday, July 18. This guide covers the full 26-man roster, results, key players and what is left to play for at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England matched their 2018 run by reaching the last four, only their third World Cup semifinal since 1966. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham share the team lead with six goals each, and a win in Miami would give England their best World Cup finish in 60 years.

England World Cup Squad 2026

England World Cup Squad 2026: Full 26-Man Roster

PositionPlayerClubAge
GKJordan PickfordEverton32
GKDean HendersonCrystal Palace29
GKJames TraffordManchester City23
DFDan BurnNewcastle United34
DFTrevoh ChalobahChelsea26
DFMarc GuéhiManchester City25
DFReece JamesChelsea25
DFEzri KonsaAston Villa28
DFNico O’ReillyManchester City20
DFJarell QuansahBayer Leverkusen23
DFDjed SpenceTottenham Hotspur25
DFJohn StonesManchester City32
MFElliot AndersonNottingham Forest23
MFJude BellinghamReal Madrid22
MFEberechi EzeArsenal27
MFJordan HendersonBrentford36
MFKobbie MainooManchester United21
MFDeclan RiceArsenal27
MFMorgan RogersAston Villa23
FWAnthony GordonBarcelona25
FWHarry Kane (C)Bayern Munich32
FWNoni MaduekeArsenal24
FWMarcus RashfordManchester United28
FWBukayo SakaArsenal24
FWIvan ToneyAl-Ahli30
FWOllie WatkinsAston Villa30
(C) = captain. Ages as of the June 17 opener. Trevoh Chalobah replaced the injured Tino Livramento on June 16. Jordan Henderson is out of the playoff with a broken arm.

For all 48 final rosters, see our World Cup 2026 squads hub.

Squad Stats and Standout Numbers

  • Average age: 26.6 years
  • Youngest: Nico O’Reilly (20)
  • Oldest: Jordan Henderson (36), in a record fourth World Cup squad alongside Sir Bobby Charlton
  • Premier League based: 21 of 26. The exceptions are Kane (Bayern Munich), Bellingham (Real Madrid), Gordon (Barcelona), Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen) and Toney (Al-Ahli)
  • Best represented clubs: Arsenal and Manchester City, four players each
  • Tournament debutants: nine, including Trafford, Chalobah, O’Reilly, Spence, Burn, Quansah, Anderson, Madueke and Rogers

England’s Group L Results and Performance

England won Group L with seven points, the only unbeaten side in the group. The campaign opened with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Arlington, where Kane scored twice and Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added the others. A disciplined Ghana held England to a 0-0 draw in Foxborough before a controlled 2-0 win over Panama in East Rutherford sealed top spot.

DateOpponentVenueResult
Jun 17CroatiaDallas Stadium, ArlingtonWon 4-2
Jun 23GhanaBoston Stadium, FoxboroughDrew 0-0
Jun 27PanamaNew York New Jersey Stadium, East RutherfordWon 2-0

England’s Knockout Run at World Cup 2026

RoundDateOpponentResult
Round of 32Jul 1DR CongoWon 2-1
Round of 16Jul 5MexicoWon 3-2
QuarterfinalJul 11NorwayWon 2-1 (AET)
SemifinalJul 15ArgentinaLost 1-2
Third place playoffJul 18FranceTo play

England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32, Kane scoring twice after Brian Cipenga’s early opener. The Round of 16 brought a 3-2 classic against co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca, with Bellingham striking twice and England holding on a man down after Jarell Quansah’s red card. Bellingham then scored both goals to beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarterfinal, ending Erling Haaland’s run of 14 straight games with a goal.

Semifinal Result: England 1-2 Argentina

England’s run ended in the cruellest way at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Anthony Gordon fired the Three Lions ahead ten minutes into the second half and England were 30 minutes from a first World Cup final since 1966.

Argentina found a way late. Enzo Fernández headed an equaliser on 85 minutes and Lautaro Martínez headed the winner in stoppage time, with Lionel Messi supplying both assists. The reigning champions go on to meet Spain in the final in New York on Sunday, July 19.

England’s Third Place Playoff: France

England face France in the World Cup 2026 third place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, July 18, kicking off at 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM BST). France arrive after a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the other semifinal, undone by a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty and a Pedro Porro strike.

Bronze medals are at stake, and so is the Golden Boot. Kylian Mbappé is level with Messi on eight goals and can win the award outright in Miami, while Kane and Bellingham sit on six apiece. Jarell Quansah is available again after completing his two-game ban, though Jordan Henderson misses out with a broken arm.

History is not on England’s side. They have never won a third place playoff, losing 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018. A win in Miami would deliver a first World Cup bronze and their best finish since they lifted the trophy in 1966.

See the full 2026 World Cup schedule for the closing fixtures.

Key Players in the England World Cup Squad 2026

England World Cup Roster Key Players to Watch

England’s player of the tournament. Bellingham scored in three straight knockout games, with braces against Mexico and Norway including the extra-time winner in Miami. At 22 he drove England’s attack and finishes level with Kane on six goals.

England’s all-time World Cup scorer has six goals at the 2026 finals and 14 in his World Cup career. He passed Gary Lineker’s record against Panama and rescued England against DR Congo, and one more goal in Miami would cap a strong personal tournament.

England’s number one grew into the tournament, keeping ten men alive at the Azteca and helping shut out Haaland in the quarterfinal. He was one of the finds of England’s run.

The defensive spine of Tuchel’s side. Rice screened the back four and carried England through the tight knockout ties, even when short of full fitness.

A rising force in the knockouts. Gordon won the penalty that beat Mexico and scored England’s goal in the semifinal against Argentina, giving Tuchel a direct threat from the left.

How England Qualified for World Cup 2026

England were the first UEFA nation to reach the 2026 World Cup, winning Group K with eight wins from eight, 22 goals scored and none conceded. No European group produced a more emphatic winner. A 5-0 win away in Serbia was the standout, and qualification was confirmed on October 14, 2025 with a 5-0 win in Latvia, Kane scoring twice. England arrived at the finals ranked fourth in the FIFA world rankings.

Head Coach: Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel took charge as England head coach on January 1, 2025 and has taken them to the semifinals in his first major tournament. The German, a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, has also managed Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He favours a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, pressing high in games England should control and defending deep against stronger sides, a flexibility that carried England through three tight knockout ties before Argentina.

Group L Final Standings

PosTeamPldWDLGDPts
1England3210+47
2Croatia320106
3Ghana311104
4Panama3003−40
England and Croatia advanced automatically. Ghana progressed as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Panama were eliminated.

See the full breakdown at the 2026 World Cup groups hub.

FAQ About the England World Cup Squad 2026

Who do England play in the World Cup 2026 third place playoff?

England face France at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, July 18, 2026, kicking off at 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM BST). The winner takes the bronze medals.

What was the score in England vs Argentina?

Argentina won the semifinal 2-1 on July 15, 2026. Anthony Gordon put England ahead early in the second half, but Enzo Fernández equalised on 85 minutes and Lautaro Martínez headed a stoppage-time winner, with Lionel Messi assisting both.

Have England ever won a World Cup third place playoff?

No. England have played two before and lost both, going down 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018. A win over France would be their first World Cup bronze and their best finish since 1966.

How many World Cup goals has Harry Kane scored?

Kane has six goals at the 2026 tournament and 14 in his World Cup career. He passed Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time World Cup scorer. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé lead the Golden Boot race on eight.

Who is in the World Cup 2026 final?

Argentina face Spain in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Argentina beat England 2-1 and Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinals.

Why are Phil Foden and Cole Palmer not in England’s squad?

Both were surprise omissions from Tuchel’s final 26 when the squad was named on May 22, 2026. He prioritised balance and in-form alternatives in midfield and attack, leaving two of the Premier League’s biggest names at home.

Where can I watch England’s 2026 World Cup games in the US?

England’s matches are on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with streaming on Peacock. Fox and Telemundo hold the US rights to all 104 games of the 2026 World Cup.

The England World Cup Squad 2026 came within minutes of a first final in 60 years, and two late headers should not overshadow a strong tournament. Bellingham and Kane shared 12 of England’s 14 goals, Pickford was excellent, and Tuchel built a side with the resilience England have often lacked.

One match remains. Beat France in Miami and England take home a first World Cup bronze and their best finish since 1966, a fitting end to a run that has this young squad believing again.

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