FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t decide to bring Ngumoha and the others to the camp until after the he submitted the 55 player list. Remember he couldn’t confirm Nwaneri until the day after the squad announcement for whatever reason.

Barnes is probably on the 55 player list and could replace Rashford or Gordon if needed along with less ideal options.

 

I say it again. Not aimed at u horris but madueke has been more of a threat for England than saka has over the last couple of years. I don't see any huge drop off from madueke playing over saka. He's more direct and quicker. Saka hasn't played well for England for 2 years. Then again he hasn't played

 

For me who of Saka or Madueke starts against Croatia its not that critical, both can do well. Similar to Rashford vs Gordon. Bellingham vs Rogers is much more important.

 

I think the issue there is we don't have a properly impressive win to our name in the last two years. Our last truly impressive win was against the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

Madueke has had some nice showings against mid to lower level European nations but doing it in tournaments against top ten teams in knockout stages is another ball game.

I have no issues with Madueke and think he's deserving of a squad place, but I find it highly unlikely he's capable of hitting the heights Saka has for England since Euro 2021. Saka at his best is a superior player by a significant margin.

Saka has been England's next best attacker after Kane pretty much since he made his England debut. He's come up with the goods and been a genuine needle mover in tournaments. Those players aren't easy to replace.

Madueke has his qualities and can play a role, but you're losing a lot of quality if he's the next best option because Saka is isn't fully fit.

 

In the case of a fully fit Saka, there is no question. But the CL final Saka, Madueke does not seem that huge of a drop.

It is true that the last impressive win was against the Netherlands in 24, and that is of course because we have not played any good teams since that match.

Honestly, we have no idea of how good England really are, we can only hope the version that turns up against Croatia is a good one.

 

I agree, but the point I'm making is that the team's ceiling will be lower than it could be if the Champions League final version of Saka is what we're going to have available.

I've said before that I think Saka at his best is as irreplaceable for England as Kane is, just in a different way. He obviously shouldn't play if he's not fit enough to give a decent performance, but it means we'll have to find a way to make do with limited quality out wide - which will be hard.

 

Madueke is deeply unpopular with a lot of fans which will add to the pressure on him if he starts. I like him but that seems to be a minority view,

 

🚨 NEW: Thomas Tuchel says England have already shown they can win without Jude Bellingham - if he picks Morgan Rogers at No.10.

❓ Also Bukayo Saka World Cup fitness doubt

🔗 https://t.co/FANMGYDFo0 pic.twitter.com/l9bm6cP4k1

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) June 9, 2026

Craig Hope thinks Rogers is still ahead of Bellingham because of the Autumn matches being very important to Tuchel.

 

I don't think he is deeply unpopular. England fans can see what he brings to the England team

 

Craig hope doesn't know shit

 

The world cup fitness doubt is just click bait. All tuchel said was they have to tread carefully with saka. Not that he's not available for the world cup

 

Good thing then, that what Craig Hope thinks is irrelevant. We'll see in a week ..

 

One thing I will say about saka is we can't completely rely on him. His fitness, the amount of games he misses for England. Maybe we have to accept he'll never be an England regular and perhaps we should be looking at other options

 

Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham cannot win the World Cup on his own... England boss says Real Madrid star in three-way fight to start v Croatia https://t.co/ElhH93xsVA

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) June 9, 2026

Eze is being considered by Tuchel to olay a N.8 or on the left wing.

 

One thing that I suspect impresses Tuchel is it’s been revealed both J Henderson and Burn did holiday in Florida for the week before the camp.

 

I'm intrigued to know whether Saka's issues are the beginning of a permanent physical decline or whether it's largely a result of carrying injuries all the time. I'm very much hoping he can recoup some explosiveness.

We do desperately need new forwards to come through regardless after this tournament though. Equally we can't just rely on Kane forever.

I think the next club season will play a big part in defining our Euro 2028 chances. I think this time next year we ideally need Ngumoha to be a starter for Liverpool and one or two youngsters to be in a similar position to what Rio is currently in, so they're ready to kick on in the 2027-28 season. Players like Dowman & McAidoo seem the most likely.

 

I don’t think that’s what he’s saying is it? He certainly didn’t say that on TalkSPORT just two days ago, he was saying he think Jude should start ahead of Rogers.

 

If Saka isn’t fit fir Croatia I’d go this:

…………..……Pickford…………………
…....Konsa…….Stones…....Guehi……
James…..Anderson…..Rice…..O’Reilly
..……….Bellingham…..Rogers………..
…………………..Kane………………….

Really don’t fancy Madueke playing over Saka unless it’s for the last 20 mins of a game.

 

Not much attacking width there, Mr B. Aren't you just going to end up with a congested midfield, like the first half against New Zealand, and no obvious supply line to Kane?

 

Idea was width would come from James and O'Reilly, as I see O'Reilly as more of a midfielder anyway, but take your point. Probably do need more pace around Kane, but I feel it's a considerable dropoff from Saka to Madueke even in a season where Saka has been below his best.

 

I think he wants Jude to start but thinks Tuchel will start Rogers.

 

Thomas Tuchel can make 11 changes in England's friendly with Costa Rica in Orlando.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 10, 2026

 

Tuchel is playing down expectations to take the weight off his players and you lot are all biting!

I expected better.

 

I just think Tuchel will want to spread the play as much as possible against Croatia's ageing squad. Modric and Kovacic may not have the legs anymore, but they can still slug it out with the best if you go toe to toe with them in a midfield battle.

 

Jamie carragher has said England only have a couple of international class players. What a nob. He's never liked England. What's international class? He said they're very good premier league players but not international class. English clubs have dominated Europe so surely that makes them international class. If that's the case then Argentina don't have any international class players because most of their players are mediocre. Carragher has always put Liverpool before England anyway. Rant over