Tuchel names Bellingham at No 10 and benches Rashford for England's World Cup opener against Croatia

Thomas Tuchel has named his England side for their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas, handing Jude Bellingham the No 10 role and leaving Marcus Rashford on the bench in favour of Anthony Gordon.

The England manager described the choice between Bellingham and Morgan Rogers as “very close”, but ultimately opted to replicate the starting XI that featured in England’s final warm-up victory over Costa Rica. Bellingham’s inclusion in the advanced midfield role signals Tuchel’s preference for experience and technical quality in the most demanding position of his system.

Noni Madueke takes a place in the starting line-up on the right flank, with Bukayo Saka absent from the XI due to a fitness concern. Tuchel acknowledged that Saka had produced an “incredible” training session on Tuesday, but indicated he was unwilling to risk the Arsenal winger from the outset, stressing instead the value of having impactful options available from the bench.

The back four sees Reece James and Rico O’Reilly deployed as full-backs, with John Stones and Ezri Konsa forming the central defensive partnership. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the XI is notable, with Tuchel constructing a more defensively structured midfield pairing of Adam Wharton — or Conor Gallagher — alongside Declan Rice.

Harry Kane leads the line as captain, continuing his record as England’s all-time top scorer and carrying the weight of a nation’s expectations into a tournament opener that carries significant pressure after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat.

England starting XI vs Croatia: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.