Tuchel benches Guehi for England's World Cup opener against Croatia, sparking fan fury

Thomas Tuchel has dropped Marc Guehi from England’s starting lineup for their 2026 World Cup group-stage opener against Croatia, a selection that has provoked an immediate backlash from supporters who widely regard the Crystal Palace defender as one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Tuchel has instead paired John Stones with Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa at centre-back, with Reece James and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly operating as full-backs.

The omission caught many fans off guard. Guehi was one of England’s standout performers at Euro 2024, and his absence from the XI prompted sharp reactions across social media almost as soon as the team was announced.

“Absolute crime that Marc Guehi isn’t starting tonight,” wrote one supporter. Another questioned Tuchel’s logic directly: “Marc Guehi was England’s best CB since the last tournament. How Stones is playing above him I don’t know.” A fourth added: “Really surprised John Stones starts ahead of Marc Guehi.”

The stakes of the Croatia fixture are heightened by what follows in the group. England’s next opponents are Ghana, described in the original team news as African heavyweights, meaning Tuchel’s side will want to begin the tournament with maximum points before facing a potentially tougher test.

Whether Guehi’s absence is a tactical choice — perhaps preserving him for later in the tournament — or a genuine signal of the German coach’s defensive hierarchy remains to be seen. For now, the decision has made Tuchel’s first competitive team selection as England manager one of the most debated of the early World Cup.