Gareth Southgate I was talking about the future. Just not his future. “England have some fabulous young players and a lot of this squad will be available in two, four, six, eight years,” he said after the Euro 2024 final defeat. If it was his farewell game, he would leave a legacy beyond two finals. And if not, he could have plenty of options when choosing his team for the 2026 World Cup.
Indeed, as Southgate took a relatively young squad to Germany, filling the bench with newcomers, the task is likely to be one of evolution rather than revolution, whoever the coach is. But when choosing 26 for 2026, there are problems.
Some will be resolved at club level: Do players from Aaron Ramsdale to Kalvin Phillips get the football and produce the form needed to be in contention? Do coaches like Pep Guardiola, Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot select certain English talents enough? But some reach the manager. If not Southgate, will players he may have underestimated, from Nick Pope to Rico Henry and Ben Chilwell, have a better chance?
In the age game, will Harry Maguire and Harry Kane, who will turn 33 in 2026, still be around? Certainly Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier won’t; each will celebrate their 36th birthday in 2026. Will Ben White, a possible successor to each, rediscover the desire to play for the national team? Will England be able to find more left-footers and play more on the left flank?
Will those whose star has waned in recent years and who missed out on Germany, such as Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling or Jack Grealish, achieve a revival? There will be a bolter; maybe even Jobe Bellingham?
What can be said is that there is enough talent that, in most positions, there should be attractive options. So here’s a potential 26.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
Pickford’s pre-eminence is likely to remain. Ramsdale needs to play somewhere at national level to maintain his runner-up status. Pope has been excellent in the Premier League over several seasons and underutilized in international play. But Trafford, who has come the England route and is destined for a bigger role, could be third choice in two years.
Sides
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Luke Shaw, Rico Lewis
Alexander-Arnold may finally have the chance to become England’s regular right-back if the Era of Trippier and Walker ends, and assuming White’s exile continues. It should mean remodeling the defense, with a more attacking right-back; two, given its logical replacement. James needs to finally be fit; he has quality if his body doesn’t betray him.
On the left, Southgate’s bet on Shaw for Euro 2024 shows that there is an abyss between him and the rest – an abyss that can remain. Lewis has talent and technique and is a possible secondary left-back. Chilwell and Henry are more natural options; It remains to be seen where Joe Gomez plays in the Slot.
Defenders
John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite
The Maguire Era may have ended in surprising fashion, with injury ruling him out of Euro 2024 and Guehi’s excellent form making the Crystal Palace player the first choice now. Konsa also looks potentially here to stay, while Stones could bring a century of caps to the USA. He should be the main figure, but England have a number of young central defenders; unusually, including left-handed options.
So perhaps Branthwaite is ahead of Levi Colwill; Max Kilman is older but could get his first cap. Quansah’s standout season at Anfield has propelled him into contention, but a lot depends on him getting enough club football. In any case, the pace of this group could allow England to use a high defensive line if they wish.
Midfielders
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton, Mason Mount, Archie Gray
If part of Southgate’s fondness for Jordan Henderson and Phillips was explained by a lack of alternatives to Jude Bellingham and Rice, a flood of young talent is now emerging. Mainoo’s rapid rise has continued at Euro 2024 and if Wharton hasn’t had a minute, his precocity suggests there is more to come. Archie Gray has the potential to leapfrog others in line – perhaps including Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott – and replace Conor Gallagher, whose professional zeal cannot disguise his lack of class, in part due to his ability in deeper positions.
Lewis Miley is another who could be the youngest member of the 2026 squad. Mount’s tactical intelligence and pressing could make him a good fit for many managers if he can put a disastrous season behind him. With Kylian Mbappe and Endrick joining Real Madrid, Bellingham could play deeper, which in turn could allow England to use a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-2-3-1.
Sides
Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Gibbs-White
With apologies to Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen, two members of Southgate’s squad who have the ability to stay in contention for years and miss this hypothetical cut, but England have plenty of options. Saka, Foden and Palmer appear to be the certainties, with Chelsea’s new signing pushing to start more. Gordon was barely used in Germany, but his habit of attacking defenders and running after them could come in handy.
If Rashford recovers and rediscovers his best, he could return; the challenge for Grealish is to do so. Gibbs-White looks too talented to remain uncapped, although his prospects may depend on whether England select, or at least consider using, a number 10.
Attackers
Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins
Despite Kane’s lack of fitness, it is difficult to imagine England’s greatest goalscorer leaving the stage or being omitted altogether. If there is no natural successor, no outstanding young centre-forward and England have more emerging players in other positions, life under Unai Emery should position Watkins as the best alternative. However, his career trajectory, like that of Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson, suggests that goalscorers can follow an indirect route to the top.
There are only two strikers in this team: a reflection that a few others could replace him, but also due to the question whether Southgate – or, more likely, a successor – can accommodate all the attacking talent by deploying someone like Foden or Palmer as a false nine.
