England Team News: Who Starts Against Croatia? Key Selection Calls Ahead of World Cup Opener
England’s 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia is fast approaching, and the latest ‘To Start Against Croatia’ market suggests Thomas Tuchel may already have much of his starting XI in place.
The Three Lions rounded off their preparations with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica, a performance which appears to have influenced several key selection markets.
Anthony Gordon was the big winner from that final warm-up match after producing a goal and assist, while Jude Bellingham also strengthened his case to start in the No.10 role.
According to Oddschecker data, 31% of bets in the market since the Costa Rica game have backed Gordon to start against Croatia, with his odds cut from 5/2 into 6/5. Bellingham has also attracted 18% of bets, underlining the growing expectation that he will feature from the start.
Pickford Remains England’s Undisputed No.1
While there are major decisions elsewhere, England’s goalkeeper position looks settled.
Jordan Pickford is priced at 1/50 to start against Croatia, making him one of the shortest-priced players in the entire market.
The Everton goalkeeper has been England’s first-choice No.1 since the 2018 World Cup and remains one of the squad’s most experienced tournament performers.
Dean Henderson and James Trafford are both included in the wider market, but their odds suggest they are unlikely to seriously threaten Pickford’s place. Henderson is priced at 16/1, while Trafford is 33/1.
Barring injury, England’s goalkeeper debate appears to be over before the tournament has begun.
Reece James Looks Set for Right-Back Role
Reece James is now priced at 3/10 to start against Croatia, making him the clear favourite at right-back.
The Chelsea defender has endured injury problems across recent years, but when fit, few English full-backs offer the same balance of defensive strength, athleticism and attacking quality.
Tuchel knows James well from their time together at Chelsea, and that relationship could prove important when it comes to a tournament opener against strong opposition.
Valentino Livramento is priced at 5/1, while Djed Spence is 9/1, suggesting James remains comfortably ahead in the battle to start on the right side of defence.
If James is fully fit, the market expects him to get the nod.
Centre-Back Battle Intensifies
Marc Guehi is priced at 1/33 to start against Croatia, making him one of the strongest favourites in England’s projected XI.
His consistency, composure and reliability have made him a leading figure in England’s defence, and the latest odds suggest he is extremely likely to start the opener.
The bigger question is who partners him.
John Stones is now priced at 8/11 to start, putting him just ahead of Ezri Konsa, who is available at 6/5.
That marks a significant selection battle. Stones offers tournament experience, ball-playing quality and an understanding of elite-level knockout football. Konsa, meanwhile, has become one of England’s most reliable defensive options and has rarely let the side down when called upon.
The odds suggest Stones currently has the edge, but Konsa is close enough in the market to make this one of the most intriguing defensive calls Tuchel has to make.
Dan Burn is available at 16/1, while Jarrell Quansah is priced at 13/1, leaving them as outsiders to start the Croatia game.
O’Reilly Shortens Into Left-Back Favourite
Nico O’Reilly is now priced at 1/10 to start at left-back, making him another player the market expects to be in Tuchel’s XI.
Left-back has been one of England’s most-discussed positions in recent years, but O’Reilly appears to have emerged as the leading candidate.
His athleticism, versatility and ability to step into midfield areas give England an interesting profile on the left side.
That could be particularly important depending on who starts ahead of him. If Gordon gets the nod, England would have a high-energy left flank capable of pressing aggressively and stretching the pitch. If Marcus Rashford starts, O’Reilly may need to provide balance behind a more direct attacking threat.
Livramento’s 5/1 odds suggest he remains an alternative option, but O’Reilly is now clearly the market leader.
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Declan Rice One of England’s Safest Starters
Declan Rice is priced at 1/50 to start against Croatia, putting him alongside Pickford and Harry Kane as one of England’s most secure selections.
Rice has become central to England’s midfield structure and is likely to be one of Tuchel’s most important players throughout the tournament.
His ability to protect the defence, cover space, win duels and progress the ball makes him almost impossible to leave out.
There may be uncertainty around the attacking midfield roles, but Rice’s place at the base of midfield looks locked in.
Anderson Expected to Partner Rice
Elliot Anderson is priced at 1/16 to start against Croatia, suggesting the market expects him to line up alongside Rice in midfield.
Anderson has been one of the more interesting names in England’s squad and now appears to be firmly in Tuchel’s plans.
His energy, ball-carrying and tactical intelligence offer England a slightly different midfield profile. Against Croatia, that could be important as England look to combine control with forward momentum.
Kobbie Mainoo is priced at 6/1, while Jordan Henderson is 20/1, which underlines Anderson’s current position in the market.
On the latest odds, Rice and Anderson look set to form England’s midfield base.
Bellingham and Rogers Both Priced at 4/6
One of the most interesting developments in the latest market is that Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are both priced at 4/6 to start against Croatia.
Bellingham remains the more obvious selection in the No.10 role after starting there against Costa Rica and attracting 18% of bets in the market since that game.
His quality is obvious. He offers ball-carrying, physicality, creativity and goal threat, while his ability to link with Harry Kane could be crucial if England dominate possession against Croatia.
However, Rogers being the same price at 4/6 shows this is not a completely settled decision.
Rogers has enjoyed a rapid rise and has given Tuchel another serious attacking midfield option. His ability to operate between the lines, drive at defenders and occupy different roles across the front line makes him a genuine contender.
Bellingham may still be the most likely starter based on the Costa Rica game and the betting activity behind him, but Rogers’ price suggests he is very much in the conversation.
Eberechi Eze is available at 8/1, which leaves him as an outsider to start despite his ability to change games from attacking midfield.
Saka Still Expected to Start on the Right
Bukayo Saka is priced at 4/9 to start against Croatia, making him the favourite on England’s right side.
Saka has become one of England’s most dependable attacking players and is difficult to leave out when fully fit.
His consistency, work rate and end product have made him a trusted figure for club and country, and he remains the most likely right-sided starter if Tuchel believes he is ready to go from the opening whistle.
Noni Madueke is priced at 4/1, which suggests he is still in contention but behind Saka in the pecking order.
Madueke offers pace and one-v-one threat, but Saka’s tournament experience and reliability make him the market leader.
Rashford vs Gordon Is the Biggest Selection Battle
The left-wing battle is now the most fascinating area of England’s starting XI market.
Marcus Rashford remains just ahead in the odds at 4/5 to start against Croatia, but Anthony Gordon has shortened into 6/5 after his standout performance against Costa Rica.
Gordon was 5/2 before that game, but a goal and assist have dramatically changed the picture.
According to Oddschecker data, 31% of bets in the market since the Costa Rica match have backed Gordon to start. No player has attracted more support in that period.
Rashford still has the shorter price and remains a serious contender. His pace, experience and ability to attack space behind the defence make him an obvious option for Tuchel.
But Gordon’s momentum is impossible to ignore.
His pressing, direct running and intensity give England something different on the left. He looked sharp against Costa Rica and appears to be peaking at exactly the right time.
The odds now suggest Rashford is still marginally ahead, but this is far from settled.
Kane Remains Untouchable Up Front
Harry Kane is priced at 1/50 to start against Croatia, which tells its own story.
England’s captain remains the focal point of the attack and is one of the safest selections in Tuchel’s XI.
Kane’s goalscoring record is exceptional, but his importance to England goes beyond finishing. His ability to drop deep, link play and bring runners into the game remains central to how England attack.
Ollie Watkins scored against Costa Rica but is priced at 16/1 to start, while Ivan Toney is 25/1.
Both provide strong options from the bench, but neither is expected to threaten Kane’s place in the starting XI.
Provided he is fit, Kane will lead the line against Croatia.
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Big Names Could Start on the Bench
One of the consequences of England's strength in depth is that several elite players may not make the starting XI.
Jude Bellingham could find himself among the substitutes despite being one of the Premier League's standout talents. Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers all have realistic claims for starting places but may be forced to wait for opportunities from the bench.
Similarly, John Stones could miss out despite possessing significant international experience. For Tuchel, these are the sort of selection dilemmas every manager wants. The challenge is ensuring disappointed players remain engaged across what could be a seven-match tournament.
Gordon the Big Market Mover After Costa Rica
The latest odds point to a largely settled England XI, but the betting activity since Costa Rica suggests punters still see room for movement.
Gordon is the clearest example.
His odds have shortened from 5/2 to 6/5 after his goal and assist, while his 31% share of bets makes him the most popular selection in the market since England’s final warm-up match.
That does not guarantee he starts, but it does make the left-wing decision one of the biggest talking points before the Croatia game.
Rashford is still shorter at 4/5, but the gap is now narrow.
Tuchel must decide whether he wants Rashford’s experience and direct threat, or Gordon’s intensity, pressing and current form.
That decision could shape the balance of England’s entire attack.
Predicted England XI vs Croatia
Based on the latest starting XI market, England could line up:
Pickford; James, Guehi, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
It is a side packed with quality, experience and balance, but several battles remain live.
Stones is currently ahead of Konsa, Bellingham and Rogers are both priced at 4/6, and Rashford is only narrowly ahead of Gordon on the left.
The spine of the team looks settled, but Tuchel’s final attacking choices could still change before England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.
