Thomas Frank will release the England World Cup squad for the final time before the World Cup in America.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel is set to announce his latest squad tomorrow, his final selection before deciding the roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America. This upcoming announcement will offer the last opportunity for emerging talents to stake a claim and for established stars to reaffirm their places ahead of the tournament. Fans and punters alike will be watching closely to see who makes the cut and who misses out.
Players Pushing for a Return
The clearest movement in the market points towards players who were not involved in the last squad but are now attracting strong backing. Harry Maguire stands out, drawing 9.2% of bets in the last 24 hours. That sharp rise reflects a clear shift in sentiment, driven by form, experience, and perceived value.
Michael Carrick’s arrival at Manchester United has not only revitalised the club but also boosted the chances of several players pushing for England selection. Harry Maguire’s trajectory reflects that shift. He was priced at 8/1 to make the squad when Ruben Amorim was sacked, but is now as short as 2/5.
A similar trend can be seen with Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw. Mainoo was available at 10/1 prior to Carrick’s appointment, while Shaw was priced at 9/1. Since then, Mainoo has shortened dramatically to 2/5, while Shaw has also seen improvement, now sitting at 6/5.
Ivan Toney offers the most consistent profile among the return candidates. He has secured 13.8% of bets in the last 24 hours while maintaining 11.9% across the week. His profile as a physical and penalty-reliable striker provides a distinct alternative to Harry Kane. However, he still remains priced 6/1 to make the World Cup squad.
In midfield, Archie Gray has emerged as the standout mover. His backing has surged from 4.0% over seven days to 26.2% in the last 24 hours, the biggest increase across the entire market. As a result, his odds have slashed from 33/1 last week to 10/1 today to make the National Team.
| Player | Best Odds | % of bets to make squad |
|---|---|---|
| Max Dowman | 14/1 | 28.4% |
| Ivan Toney | 11/2 | 9.7% |
| Harry Maguire | 2/5 | 6.2% |
| Lewis Hall | 1/3 | 4.3% |
| Archie Gray | 11/1 | 3.2% |
Oddschecker data for the last 7 days, last updated at 10:30AM Friday, 20th March.
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Players at Risk of Missing Out
While the core of the squad remains relatively stable, several players from the previous camp are now under pressure due to shifting betting patterns. In defence, names such as Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence could be vulnerable, particularly with renewed interest in experienced alternatives like Maguire and Trevor Chalobah.
Quansah’s odds have also shortened from 6/5 to evens in the last 24 hours, adding another layer of intrigue to the selection battle. It will be particularly interesting to see who Thomas Tuchel leans towards in the final friendlies before the season concludes.
Spence (best priced at 5/6) could benefit from Reece James' injury, and slot into the Right Back position in his absence. Alex Scott may also face increased competition if Tuchel prioritises experience over potential as the World Cup approaches.
In midfield, the challenge is particularly sharp. While Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham remain untouchable, players such as Phil Foden and Adam Wharton face pressure from rising contenders like Gray and Kobbie Mainoo.
In attack, Marcus Rashford could yet re-enter the picture and secure a return to the England national team. His move away from Manchester United appears to have reignited his push for international selection, and he is now strongly fancied to make the squad once again, with his odds shortening to 1/4.
Positional Analysis of Potential England Squad
Goalkeepers
The goalkeeping situation remains stable. Jordan Pickford continues to be viewed as a virtual certainty, with his experience and reliability keeping punters confident. Dean Henderson is seen as the primary backup, while James Trafford remains in contention to be the third choice keeper. Aaron Ramsdale is also attracting some attention from punters, after his odds slashed from 5/1 last week to evens.
Defenders
Defence is where the market is seeing meaningful movement. Harry Maguire (best odds of 2/5) has emerged as the clear frontrunner for a return, backed by his aerial dominance, leadership, and big-tournament experience. Trevor Chalobah and Dan Burn are receiving renewed attention from punters as viable cover options.
Lewis Hall, despite his youth, is earning attention for his tactical intelligence and versatility, providing ready-to-go options on the flanks. His performance against Barcelona midweek would have certainly boosted his chances to make the squad as well.
Established centre-backs such as Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, and Reece James remain near-certainties. However, Reece James’ recent injury raises concerns, with his odds to make the squad drifting from 1/4 last week to 4/7.
Midfielders
Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson, and Jude Bellingham all appear set to travel to North America for the World Cup. The remaining spots, however, promise to be closely contested as the tournament approaches.
Archie Gray has drawn attention with strong recent performances, but his odds of 11/1 to make the squad suggest a tough challenge ahead. Kobbie Mainoo, on the other hand, has forced himself into contention with revitalised displays for Manchester United under Michael Carrick.
Phil Foden’s recent dip in form will be a concern for many, including Tuchel, who faces a tough decision. Meanwhile, Nico O'Reilly and Adam Wharton are also pushing hard for a place in the squad.
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Declan Rice (1/20): 95.2% implied probability
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Cole Palmer (1/8): 88.9%
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Morgan Rogers (1/8): 88.9%
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Elliot Anderson (1/6): 85.7%
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Jude Bellingham (1/4): 80.0%
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Phil Foden (1/3): 75.0%
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Jordan Henderson (4/11): 73.3%
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Eberechi Eze (1/2): 66.7%
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Kobbie Mainoo (4/7): 63.6%
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Adam Wharton (10/11): 52.4%
Forwards
The forward line shows a similar trend, with established names holding their positions but newer or less certain selections attracting interest. Harry Kane (1/25), Bukayo Saka (1/12), and Anthony Gordon (1/5), are all but confirmed to make the England squad according to odds.
Max Dowman has started to attract attention recently, emerging as a player to watch thanks to strong performances. Despite this, he remains young and is priced at 14/1, while Ivan Toney is currently at 11/2 to make the squad.
Marcus Rashford continues to be a key figure for England despite occasional inconsistencies. His impressive form for Barcelona, particularly in the Champions League where he has scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in 8 games this season, will be crucial in determining his return to the national team. Rashford’s odds to make the squad have now shortened to 1/4, placing him ahead of Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, and Jarrod Bowen.
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Betting Trends and Market Insight
The data points to a clear betting strategy. Punters are avoiding low-return certainties and instead focusing on players in the mid-range and outsider brackets.
Archie Gray leads the market with 26.2%, followed by Ivan Toney at 13.8% and Max Dowman at 10.8%. Harry Maguire’s 9.2% places him firmly among the most backed defensive options, while Trevor Chalobah at 6.2% and both Dan Burn and Marcus Rashford at 4.6% show steady interest. Aaron Ramsdale and Lewis Hall each sit at 3.1%, reflecting modest but notable support.
One of the more notable drops involves Trent Alexander-Arnold. He held 1.6% of backing over the past week but has received no support in the last 24 hours. His odds have also slipped from Evens to 2/1 over the past four days.
England WC Squad According to the Odds
Goalkeepers (3): Jordan Pickford (3/20), Dean Henderson (1/5), James Trafford (6/5)
Defenders (8): Marc Guehi (1/8), Ezri Konsa (1/6), Nico O'Reilly (1/6), John Stones (1/3), Reece James (1/3), Lewis Hall (1/2), Dan Burn (8/11), Harry Maguire (10/11)
Midfielders (10): Declan Rice (1/20), Cole Palmer (1/8), Morgan Rogers (1/8), Elliot Anderson (1/6), Jude Bellingham (1/4), Phil Foden (1/3), Jordan Henderson (4/11), Eberechi Eze (1/2), Kobbie Mainoo (4/7), Adam Wharton (10/11).
Forwards (5): Harry Kane (1/25), Bukayo Saka (1/12), Anthony Gordon (1/5), Marcus Rashford (3/10), Ollie Watkins (8/13).
