Winners and losers from Gareth Southgate’s exit: Our England squad to play 2026 World Cup
Gareth Southgate’s resignation as England manager ends his eight-year reign in charge of the national team and could also bring down the curtain on the tournament careers of some key members of the current squad.
With two years until the 2026 World Cup, how many players will retain their place? And which areas of the squad will see the most turnover?
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford will be 32 by the time of the 2026 World Cup. While that is not old for a goalkeeper, he can expect to be under serious pressure for his place by that point.
Aaron Ramsdale’s club future could be the key issue here. If he makes the right move away from Arsenal, and then continues his development, he could feasibly snatch Pickford’s No 1 shirt quite soon. Especially if Southgate – one of Pickford’s biggest champions – is not in charge. It is also worth keeping an eye on the development of James Trafford.
Defenders
Kyle Walker will be 36 in 2026, which surely makes it unlikely that he will still be England’s first-choice right-back. Kieran Trippier, meanwhile, will be 35. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s time should finally come, then, although it remains to be seen how his Liverpool career will develop following the departure of Jürgen Klopp.
As it stands, it is hard to see a way in which Ben White can return to the international fold. However, if a new coaching staff comes in, the Arsenal defender could quickly become an important player for his country, and the main competition to Alexander-Arnold at right-back. Don’t forget Reece James, either. He will be 26 in two years, which should mean he is coming into his prime.
As for the emerging right-backs, Rico Lewis and Tino Livramento appear to be the most likely contenders to establish themselves in the England squad over the next two seasons.
At centre-back, Marc Guehi and John Stones will be 26 and 32 respectively. It is highly possible that they remain the first-choice defenders, although Levi Colwill, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah are all developing promisingly. Colwill is left-footed, which could give him the edge if he can play consistently at club level.
As for the left-backs, Luke Shaw can expect to remain in the fold. He will be 31 in 2026, which is certainly not too old to be starting regularly. Can Ben Chilwell rediscover his form? Can Lewis Hall fulfil his potential? As it stands, Shaw seems the most likely option, although he could be under threat if Colwill plays regularly as a left-back at club level.
Midfielders
Declan Rice is one of the most important players in this England squad and he will surely be central again, fitness permitting. He will be 27, in his prime, during the 2026 World Cup. Jude Bellingham is not going anywhere, either, while the same can be said for Phil Foden.
The development of Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton, the two young guns at Euro 2024, will be fascinating. On paper, there is no reason why they would not be involved, but young players do not always follow the path that has seemingly been laid out for them.
Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones will be among those hoping to challenge for a place by the summer of 2026, if not sooner. Can young Archie Gray, who has just swapped Leeds United for Tottenham Hotspur, fulfil his enormous potential? Newcastle United’s Lewis Miley is another exciting youngster, although 2026 might come too soon.
Slightly further forward, Cole Palmer will expect to remain in the picture after his excellent tournament in Germany. Will Eberechi Eze still be playing for Crystal Palace? Will Mason Mount find his feet at Manchester United? Morgan Gibbs-White is a rising force to watch, as is Morgan Rogers.
Wingers
Bukayo Saka will be 24 at the next World Cup and it is hard to imagine a scenario in which he is not a starter for England. Jarrod Bowen, however, will be 29. He could be under pressure from the likes of Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho (depending on how his club career develops) and young Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, currently of Borussia Dortmund.
The career arcs of Raheem Sterling (who will be 31) and Jack Grealish (who will be 30) will be fascinating. You would not rule out either of them making a comeback to the international stage. The same is true of Marcus Rashford, who will be 28.
Anthony Gordon is on the right path, clearly. Perhaps Harvey Barnes could rediscover the form that led to his call-up in 2020.
Strikers
Will Harry Kane remain the first-choice striker for England at the age of 32? Based on the form he showed this summer, the answer is no. But his fitness was clearly a significant issue in recent weeks, and there is no reason why a fully-fit Kane could not be hugely effective in two years. He has never relied on pace, anyway.
As for the others… Well, it is hard to say. Ollie Watkins will be 30, and his game is more reliant on physical speed and power. Ivan Toney will also be 30. Both players will surely be in the mix, but it is hard to say with any certainty that they will be better than they are now. It might simply come down to pre-tournament form and sharpness.
In truth, there is not a long list of youngsters ready to take over the centre-forward position. Tammy Abraham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are already beyond the age of 25. Kane looks relatively secure, for now.
Predicted team (4-3-3)
Ramsdale; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Colwill; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon.
Predicted 26-man squad
Goalkeepers
Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford.
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Ben White, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Jarrad Branthwaite, Levi Colwill, Luke Shaw.
Midfielders
Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forwards
Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford.