World Cup
England World Cup Squad Odds 2026: Decision Time Approaching For Thomas Tuchel
Somehow, even more so than the winter tournament in Qatar, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the most controversial in living memory, but obviously, every player still wants to go – even Ben White now!
Thomas Tuchel will have to cull his squad to 26 players for the summer. Given that he called up 35 chaps for the spring friendlies, it’d be fair to say that he’s got a lot to think about.
Without knowing the mind of the German head coach trying to make good on England’s 6/1 second-favourites placing in the World Cup betting, here’s a look at how the oddsmakers see the squad shaking out.
Almost Guaranteed to Go in the England Squad Odds:
There is a distinct collection of core players and top talents who, barring any kind of injury or other issues, will almost certainly be in the England World Cup squad. Those players, and their odds of going to North America, are:
- Jordan Pickford – 1/50
- Declan Rice – 1/40
- Harry Kane – 1/33
- Bukayo Saka – 1/33
- Marc Guehi – 1/25
- Anthony Gordon – 1/25
- Morgan Rogers – 1/20
- Elliot Anderson – 1/20
- Dean Henderson – 1/20
- Ezri Konsa – 1/20
- Cole Palmer – 1/16
- Jude Bellingham – 1/10
Prior to the friendly against Japan, Rice and Rogers had been given the most caps by Tuchel at ten each, returning one goal each and a handful of assists between them.
Next from the list above is Harry Kane, who has started nine games and scored nine goals. After him, Jordan Pickford has featured in eight games, as has Ezri Konsa.
Likely to be in the England World Cup Squad
Quite notably, several players who have featured often and scored some goals for Tuchel aren’t at particularly short odds to make the cut, as you can see in the sport odds:
- Jordan Henderson – 1/6
- Phil Foden – 1/6
- Marcus Rashford – 1/4
- John Stones – 1/4
- Lewis Hall – 1/4
- Nico O’Reilly – 1/4
- Eberechi Eze – 1/3
- Harry Maguire – 1/3
- Dan Burn – 1/3
- Valentino Livramento – 2/5
- Noni Madueke – 1/2
- Jarrod Bowen – 1/2
- James Trafford – 1/2
- Reece James – 4/7
- Djed Spence – 4/7
Some have entered the picture based on form and availability, while others have seemingly been staple picks of the Tuchel the era, but perhaps fade in the odds because of the likelihood of injury or dropping in form.
While still quite likely to go, it’s a bit of a surprise that Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford weren’t at shorter odds. Rashford has played nine times for Tuchel and returned a goal and an assist.
Henderson, has been subbed on six times and started twice, but his eight appearance count outranks the likes of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, and Tuchel clearly likes having his presence in the squad.
Livramento’s an interesting inclusion to this set. He’s only started twice and been subbed in once for Tuchel, but certainly offers a hard-working, strong-tackling, versatile option at full back.
Dark Horses For The 2026 World Cup Squad
Not all of the players above (numbering 27) can be in the initial 2026 World Cup England squad. Yet, according to the oddsmakers, these players are also seen as being in contention for one of those 26 places this summer:
- Kobbie Mainoo – 8/11
- Adam Wharton – 8/11
- James Garner – 8/11
- Jarrell Quansah – 5/6
- Fikayo Tomori – 11/8
- Ollie Watkins – 5/4
- Aaron Ramsdale – 6/4
- Ben White – 6/4
- Jason Steele – 11/4
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – 2/1
- Dominic Solanke – 5/2
- Luke Shaw – 3/1
- Harvey Barnes – 4/1
- Morgan Gibbs-White – 9/2
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5/1
- Ivan Toney – 6/1
- Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6/1
- Danny Welbeck – 6/1
- Max Downman – 7/1
Among these hopefuls, Myles Lewis-Skelly has been given the most attention by Tuchel, clocking six games and a goal. However, the Arsenal teenager most recently joined up with the under-21s instead of the first team.
Gibbs-White, despite helping greatly to inspire Nottingham Forest’s fight back against the drop, hasn’t featured much for Tuchel of late. Plus, he plays in what’s probably the most crowded and talented-rich position in the squad.
Max Downman is yet to get an England cap. However, if he continues to impress in a limited role for Arsenal, it’s not difficult to envisage a sudden call-up spurred by hype – akin to Theo Walcott’s 2006 surprise selection.
When Will the Final England World Cup Squad be Announced?
Thomas Tuchel has until 30 May to announce his final 26-player England World Cup squad. By 11 May, he’ll need to submit a preliminary squad of between 35 and 55 players.
That preliminary squad will denote the entire pool of players that Tuchel can then pick from for his final squad. That’s when the odds may start to tighten around certain players and fire up some potential long-shots.
So, as the odds denote, while there are some near-certainties to go the North America this summer, there are plenty of places up for grabs in the England World Cup squad.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
