Bellingham starts, no Guehi: England's predicted XI
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Jude Bellingham is set to start in the No 10 role ahead of Morgan Rogers in Wednesday's World Cup opener against Croatia, based on the XI that began the 3-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica.
- John Stones and Ezri Konsa are expected to start as England's first-choice central defensive pairing — a surprise given Marc Guehi was widely viewed as the first-choice centre-back heading into the tournament.
- Thomas Tuchel told media he has "14 or 15" players in mind for the Croatia opener, adding that the side that started against Costa Rica is likely close to the team he picks barring one or two exceptions.
- Noni Madueke started ahead of Bukayo Saka on the right wing against Costa Rica, with Tuchel saying Saka must be managed during the tournament because he still feels the effects of a lower leg muscular issue that hampered his Arsenal season run-in.
- Guehi was preferred over Stones by Pep Guardiola in the final months of the season at Manchester City, but Tuchel appears to favor more physicality in central defense — Stones and Konsa are both bigger than Guehi.
- Both Stones and Konsa are right-footed, creating a potential balance issue at the back since Guehi typically plays as the left-sided centre-back.
Why it matters: Tuchel's selection against Croatia will be read as the template for England's tournament, and two calls cut against established expectations: starting Bellingham over the in-form Rogers, and pairing two right-footed centre-backs ahead of the player widely considered first choice. The Saka management plan also has concrete stakes for Arsenal, with the source noting concern at the Emirates that Saka could miss portions of the tournament.
