FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

Am off to pub as have a night off baby duty.

Feeling confident we will win this.

 

Come on England!

 

This time ?

 

England expected to keep same side that started versus Costa Rica in World Cup opener against Croatia. https://t.co/yKRlDUwXHW

— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) June 17, 2026

Predicted line-up: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

 

I do feel slightly nervous for this one. I don't ever recall going into a tournament feeling like we know so little about the team. We'll learn more about England in this game than we have in the last 18 months combined.

 

I feel pessimistic. I'll try and brighten up near kick off time

 

Personally I'm quietly optimistic. Rice-Anderson-Bellingham is the best midfield in my lifetime. We can talk about the names in the golden generation but they were invariably less than the sum of their parts.

 

We can't argue the team isn't balanced that's for certain. If the mood in the camp is as good as the players say it is then you'd like to think the first XI has a pretty high floor if everyone is in good physical condition.

 

Based on how the world cup has gone so far (and how world cups always go), I just hope people have reasonable expectations on the team. It's most likely going to be a cagey match, we are unlikely to batter them, a draw wouldn't be a particularly bad result all things considered. It is on paper the second toughest game so far after all and other top seeds have struggled against much more limited opponents than we face.

I just hope we show positive signs of the team functioning together and signs there's a wider plan in place to build from. Particularly given how little time our best 11 has actually spent together under Tuchel.

 

Think today is a huge game for Madueke, Gordon and the centre backs. Those are the ones that people question a lot. I’d love if it Madueke gets a goal or two ans stops the moaning about him.

 

Your #ThreeLions to take on Croatia! 👊 pic.twitter.com/xLcO8Peaxl

— England (@England) June 17, 2026

 

Stones wow

 

Croatia team is younger than people led me to believe.

 

Tuchel has been signposting it for months and months.

 

I don't mind Stones, honestly.

 

Based on that Croatia set up there's going to be almost zero space available in the middle. Gordon and Madueke are going to be the key to making things happen.

 

I don't recognise any of the Croatia names apart from modric.

 

Gary neville is so negative when he talks about England

 

He's quite negative about all English teams club or national to be honest. He's obsessed with what he thinks they can't.

 

Yep, I don't feel particularly optimistic but it's not because I think we're a bad team, it's that I just don't really know what to expect. I tend to think the most likely scenario for today is that the performance reflects that uncertainty and we see a few promising signs but look a long way from being the finished article.

With that in mind, I'm going for a draw.

 

Neville's just going by what he's seen his whole life with England and also played in (multiple tournaments as a player).

 

Perisic has been in every tournament they’ve played for about 20 years. Sure he scored in the 2018 semi final.

 

we look ready.

deep breaths everyone!

 

Wow this is a far younger Croatia team than I envisioned