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Gareth Southgate has been talking about the future – but not his own. “England have some fantastic young players. A lot of this squad will still be there in two, four, six, eight years’ time,” he said after losing the Euro 2024 final. Southgate has announced his departure and won’t be with the team in two years’ time. But who will replace him? When it comes time to pick the squad for the 2026 World Cup, you may be spoilt for choice.
Southgate took a relatively young squad to Germany and filled his bench with new faces so whoever takes over is likely to be tasked with evolution rather than revolution, but there are problems with selecting the 26 for 2026.
Some questions will be answered at club level: Will players from Aaron Ramsdale to Kalvin Phillips be able to control the ball and perform well enough to be in the running for the title? Will managers such as Pep Guardiola, Enzo Maresca or Arne Slott be able to select enough of that particular English talent? But there are also questions that depend on the manager: will players Southgate may have underestimated, from Nick Pope to Rico Henry to Ben Chilwell, be given more opportunities?
In terms of age, will Harry Maguire and Harry Kane still be in the team when they turn 33 in 2026? Probably not Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, who both turn 36 in 2026. Will their respective potential successors, Ben White, regain their drive to play for the national team? Could England find more left-footers and play more on the left wing?
Will players like Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish, whose star power has faded in recent years and who have not been selected for Germany’s national team, make a comeback? Or will someone like Jobe Bellingham return?
What can be said is that there is enough talent to mean there should be attractive options at most positions, so here are 26 potential names.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
Pickford’s prominence should continue. Ramsdale needs to play elsewhere at domestic level to maintain his status as Pickford’s understudy. Pope has been impressive in the Premier League for a few seasons but has been underused on the international stage. But Trafford, who is expected to take on a bigger role after playing for England, could become third choice in two years’ time.
Fullback
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Luke Shaw, Rico Lewis
Assuming the Trippier-Walker era finally ends and White’s banishment continues, Alexander-Arnold may finally get a chance to become England’s regular right-back. That would mean reorganizing the defense and putting in a more attacking right-back — two of his logical lieutenants. James finally needs to get healthy. If his body doesn’t betray him, he has the talent.
On the left wing, Southgate’s decision to gamble on Shaw at Euro 2024 suggests there is a gap between him and the others, and that gap may remain. Luiz has the talent and skill to be the second choice left-back, with Chilwell and Henry being the more natural options. It remains to be seen where Joe Gomez will play instead of the slot.
Centre Back
John Stones, Mark Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarrel Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite
It could be a shock end to the Maguire era. Injury ruled Maguire out of Euro 2024 and Guehi’s form has made the Crystal Palace man first choice. Konsa could also stay and Stones could win his 100th cap in the United States. He should make the senior squad but England have a wealth of young centre-backs, including a rare left-footer.
So Branthwaite would probably be ranked above Levi Colwill. Max Kilman is older but could get his first cap. Kwansah had a breakout season at Anfield to join the title race but a lot will depend on whether he gets enough club experience. Either way, the speed of this group could allow England to use a high defensive line if they so choose.
Midfielder
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Coby Mainu, Adam Wharton, Mason Mount, Archie Gray
If Southgate’s preference for Jordan Henderson and Phillips was in part due to the lack of alternatives for Jude Bellingham and Rice, a flurry of young talent is now emerging. Mainu’s meteoric rise will continue at Euro 2024 and, even if Wharton doesn’t get the chance, his precocity suggests there is more to come. Archie Gray could potentially leapfrog others, including Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, to replace Conor Gallagher, whose workmanlike enthusiasm but whose ability in a deeper role hides a lack of class.
Lewis Mailly could also be named the youngest member of the 2026 squad. Mount’s tactical nous and pressing would suit many managers if he can overcome a dismal season. The arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick to Real Madrid could see Bellingham play deeper, which could allow England to adopt a 4-3-3 rather than a 4-2-3-1.
wing
Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Gibbs-White
Sorry to Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen, but England have plenty of options. Saka, Foden and Palmer are sure things and will likely see more starts with Chelsea joining. Gordon was barely used in Germany but his habit of charging at defenders and running in behind could come in handy.
Perhaps he will return if Rashford bounces back and gets back to his best. The challenge for Grealish will be to achieve that. Gibbs-White appears too talented to warrant selection, but his future may depend on England opting for, or at least considering, the number 10.
striker
Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins
Despite Kane’s slump in form, it’s hard to imagine England’s record goalscorer being sidelined or left out entirely. With no natural successor or outstanding young centre-forward and given England have more up-and-coming talent in other positions, Watkins would be Unai Emery’s best alternative. But like Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson, his career trajectory suggests a goalscorer could take a circuitous route to the top.
The squad only has two strikers, reflecting the fact that someone else can take on that role, but there are also questions as to whether the new manager will be able to utilise all that attacking talent by deploying players like Foden and Palmer as false nines.