Could FourFourTwo’s 2026 England World Cup Prediction Hit the Mark?
England’s World Cup Hopes Under Tuchel: Revisiting Past Predictions
England’s national football team is embarking on their journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, starting with a crucial match against Albania at Wembley this Friday. This game marks the beginning of a new era under manager Thomas Tuchel, who took the reins on January 1st. Tuchel’s contract extends for 18 months, with the 2026 World Cup firmly set as his primary objective – to bring home England’s second World Cup title.
While Gareth Southgate led the Three Lions to the quarter-finals in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Tuchel is aiming higher, with nothing less than victory in 2026 deemed acceptable. His initial squad selection reflects a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, featuring experienced players like Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker alongside exciting new faces such as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, and Morgan Rogers.
Football fans are already buzzing with predictions about Tuchel’s potential World Cup squad, assuming England secures qualification as anticipated. The final team selection is always subject to numerous factors – injuries, player form, and specific tactical requirements – all of which will influence Tuchel’s decisions as the tournament approaches next summer.
Interestingly, back in 2021, football magazine FourFourTwo bravely attempted to foresee England’s starting XI for the 2026 World Cup. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, let’s examine their predictions and see how they stack up against reality, looking at where each player is now.
How Accurate Was FourFourTwo’s 2026 England XI Forecast? Player by Player Analysis
Here’s a breakdown of FourFourTwo’s predicted England starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup and an update on each player’s current situation:
- Dean Henderson:
- Prediction: FourFourTwo envisioned Henderson taking over from Jordan Pickford as England’s first-choice goalkeeper by 2026.
- Current Status: Henderson is enjoying a strong season at Crystal Palace after moving from Manchester United. While he’s performing well and Tuchel has suggested a fair competition for the goalkeeping spot, displacing Pickford, the established number one, remains a significant challenge.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold:
- Prediction: Predicted to be a key player for England in 2026.
- Current Status: Alexander-Arnold remains a vital component of Liverpool’s squad. His selection for the World Cup squad, barring injury, seems highly probable. However, a major question mark hangs over his club future, with his Liverpool contract nearing its end and strong rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
- Ben White:
- Prediction: Considered a likely England regular back in 2021 when he was a rising star at Brighton.
- Current Status: White’s England career is currently on hold. Despite consistent top-level performances as a right-back for Arsenal, he has opted out of England consideration following reports of a fallout with assistant coach Steve Holland. He even left the 2022 World Cup squad early and hasn’t featured for England since. Tuchel has indicated a willingness for a potential recall, although a recent injury prevented his inclusion in the current squad.
Ben White in action for Arsenal (Image: Getty)
- Marc Guehi:
- Prediction: Expected to be an England regular in defence.
- Current Status: Guehi is a strong contender for a World Cup spot. The Crystal Palace defender is directly competing with Harry Maguire for a central defensive position. Maguire’s injury absence from the current camp gives Guehi a valuable opportunity to solidify his claim.
- Ryan Sessegnon:
- Prediction: Highlighted as an attack-minded full-back who could excel on England’s left flank by 2026.
- Current Status: Sessegnon’s career trajectory hasn’t followed the predicted path. While at Tottenham in 2021, he struggled for consistent game time under several managers and faced question marks about his defensive abilities. He’s since returned to Fulham. This season has seen glimpses of improvement, suggesting it’s perhaps too early to completely dismiss his potential, though a World Cup call-up appears unlikely at present.
Fulham defender Ryan Sessegnon scored in his side’s 2-0 win over former club Spurs on Sunday (Image: Twitter)
- Declan Rice:
- Prediction: Certain to be a World Cup player.
- Current Status: Rice has become an even more prominent figure since 2021. His transfer to Arsenal and adaptation to a slightly different midfield role has been successful. His fitness record is excellent, making him a near-guaranteed starter for England at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
- Jude Bellingham:
- Prediction: Predicted a meteoric rise to the top.
- Current Status: Bellingham’s ascent has surpassed even optimistic predictions. After starring at Borussia Dortmund and then making a high-profile move to Real Madrid, he is now considered one of the world’s best midfielders. He will undoubtedly be a central figure for England at the 2026 World Cup; a key player for England in the upcoming tournament.
- Bukayo Saka:
- Prediction: Expected to be a player Tuchel would heavily rely upon in 2026.
- Current Status: Saka is a critical player for both Arsenal and England. A recent hamstring injury prevented him from joining Tuchel’s first squad, highlighting concerns about potential burnout due to heavy playing time at Arsenal. Assuming fitness, he’s a near lock for the World Cup squad and a player Tuchel will likely depend on.
- Phil Foden:
- Prediction: Predicted to finally achieve international success by 2026.
- Current Status: Foden has flourished at Manchester City, winning major domestic and European trophies. However, he is yet to fully replicate that form for England. He’s been deployed in various attacking roles by Southgate, but hasn’t consistently shone for the national team. A change in management with Tuchel might be exactly what Foden needs to unlock his international potential; time will tell if Tuchel can get the best out of his talent on the international stage. He is still expected to be part of the World Cup squad.
- Mason Mount:
- Prediction: Expected to return to the England fold under Tuchel.
- Current Status: Mount’s career has faced significant disruption due to injuries since his move to Manchester United in 2023. After a long injury layoff, he’s recently returned to the Manchester United squad. He was a regular England player before his injuries and had success under Tuchel at Chelsea, making a potential England return under Tuchel a possibility, provided he can maintain fitness and consistent playing time at club level.
- Mason Greenwood:
- Prediction: Predicted to be a rising star for England in 2026.
- Current Status: Greenwood’s England career is effectively over. Despite a promising period at Manchester United in 2021, his career was derailed by serious allegations. He is now playing for Marseille and has reportedly applied to switch his international allegiance to Jamaica. While the charges against him were dropped, the FA chief executive stated Southgate had previously chosen not to select him, and a return to the England team appears highly improbable under any circumstances.
Predictions are always challenging, especially years in advance in football. While FourFourTwo accurately identified some future England mainstays like Bellingham, Rice and Saka, the paths of others like Sessegnon and White highlight the unpredictable nature of player development and circumstances. Tuchel now faces the task of crafting his own successful England squad for 2026, learning from both successful forecasts and unforeseen changes.
What are your predictions for England’s starting XI at the 2026 World Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!