Jude Bellingham starts for England in their World Cup opener against Croatia tonight.
The Real Madrid superstar has edged out Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers in the battle to begin the tournament as Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice option in the No10 role.
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Tuchel has named the same team that started last week’s final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando.
One decision was taken out of his hands, with Tino Livramento ruled out of the tournament on Tuesday with a calf injury picked up in training.
Trevoh Chalobah will replace the Newcastle right-back, but will not join the squad until after the Croatia clash, though Chelsea team-mate Reece James was always expected to start in any case.
Bukayo Saka remains a substitute as he continues to have his fitness carefully managed due to a lingering Achilles issue, with Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke remaining on the right flank.
Another position up for debate was left wing, where Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford has lost out to Anthony Gordon, who left Newcastle this summer to move to the Camp Nou.
The centre-back position was not nailed down either, with Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ezri Konsa fighting for two places.
It is Stones and Konsa who have once again got the nod, with Guehi on the bench in a decision that may surprise many.
Jordan Pickford is in goal, with Nico O’Reilly at left-back and Declan Rice joined in the midfield engine room by Elliot Anderson. Captain Harry Kane leads the attack.
Those who do not start can still have a major impact in England’s crucial opener, with up to five substitutes allowed and Tuchel known to be a big believer in “finishers” off the bench.
England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Injured: Livramento
Time and date: 9pm BST on Wednesday June 17, 2026
Venue: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas
How to watch: ITV
