England's World Cup predictions - Three Lions hopes, best player and breakout star
England can officially begin planning for next summer's World Cup have qualification was confirmed with Thomas Tuchel tasked with taking the Three Lions deep into the tournament
England can officially plan for next summer's World Cup after securing qualification by hammering Latvia on Tuesday night. Their passage has long been expected, but Thomas Tuchel has ticked the first box on his to do list.
Now talk will continue ramping up on whether he can be the man to end the wait that dates back to 1966. England have a stellar recent record in major tournaments and will hope to go deep when they head to North America.
A quarter-final defeat to France ended their hopes in Qatar three years ago, before that it was Croatia who ended English dreams in the last four. In between all that has been two final appearances in the Euros, both tight affairs, even if England were on the wrong side of the result.
A lot of the squad that have tasted heartbreak are further along in their careers, better for the experience and the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice are regarded among the world's best in their positions.
Tuchel has also given opportunities to young players at various clubs - with several of those taking their chances. Some have been tipped to play central roles at the World Cup as England go up against the best teams across the globe.
READ MORE: England have 'no chance' of winning World Cup unless axed trio are recalledREAD MORE: Harry Kane's feelings on Tottenham return with clause active in January - “I’m not sure”Mirror Football's writers has given an early indication as to what England might be able to achieve across the Atlantic, who will step up most and which player is set to announce themselves on the international scene.
John Cross
How far England will go?
Semi-finals. Having been a quarter final team for so many years, at least they’re making progress…
After covering the Club World Cup last summer, I think the conditions and climate will be a huge factor - and big disadvantage - for England. I think they will have a good tournament - but will fall just short. Sorry.
Who will be England’s best player?
Bukayo Saka. He is so reliable for club and country. That nonsense about playing him at left back in the Euros. When will people understand he’s the jewel in the crown, not someone you compromise to get in the team. He is the team and supply line to Harry Kane.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
Ezri Konsa. At 27, it feels a bit late to talk about breakout tournaments. But we know about most of the others. And do not underestimate just how highly Thomas Tuchel likes and rates the Aston Villa defender. He is versatile and can play across the back four. As a result, I think he will play every game and, by doing so, elevate himself to another level and become a really big figure in this team.
Andy Dunn
How far will England go?
All the way. In terms of a pool of 30-plus players to choose a squad from, this is as strong a group as an England manager has had at his disposal. And there is a great blend of tournament experience and relatively young talent.
As always, small margins will be decisive and it goes without saying that a fit and firing Harry Kane is essential for eventual success but Thomas Tuchel has plenty of options to solve any problems that might arise. And the days of England players being unable to adapt to testing climatic conditions are gone.
Who will be England’s best player?
After he was left out of this squad, some pundits are suggesting Jude Bellingham faces a fight to make Tuchel’s first-choice starting eleven. The odd one or two even question whether he will make the squad.
Frankly, that is ludicrous. Bellingham is a big-game player and has stepped up to the plate on many occasions. He will be fired up by the criticism that has come his way in recent weeks and will return as one of Tuchel’s main men. For all the talk, it is hard to see him not leading England’s challenge next summer.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
It is a tough question to answer because there are quite a few relatively inexperienced players vying for places. In the hotly-contested midfield area, Elliot Anderson has already made a compelling case for a starting place and Morgan Rogers has done little wrong.
So, considering he did not even make Tuchel’s latest squad, it is a leap of imagination to believe Adam Wharton can be a star of World Cup 2026. But such is the all-round ability of the Crystal Palace star - and such is his progression - that Tuchel might find his case for a place irresistible. It is a long shot but Wharton might just be Tuchel’s unexpected key man.
Daniel Orme
How far will England go?
England head into the World Cup as one of the favourites and have a habitual winner in charge. They also have a squad packed with world-class talent. So it would be a failure should the Three Lions fail to get into the latter stages of the tournament. Do I believe that England will win the trophy? Unfortunately not. But it’s still going to be an impressive tournament.
Who will be England’s best player?
Given the bloated nature of the upcoming tournament, Harry Kane will be licking his lips at the prospect of coming up against some relatively leaking opponents, particularly in the group stages. And that could see him firmly in the running for the golden boot once again.
Should he fire in a few goals and help England to the latter stages, he will of course be in the conversation for not just England’s best player but the standout player of the entire tournament.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
Heading into the World Cup, the left-back berth is certainly up for grabs and there are a few contenders who could claim it. The most likely player to do that looks to be Arsenal ’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 19-year-old has already made six appearances for the Three Lions and scored his first goal. But the World Cup could become the moment that he really secures the position for his own.
Jeremy Cross
How far will England go?
England have booked their place at the next World Cup - And the Three Lions will do what they always do ahead of a major tournament - and turn up undercooked due to a straightforward qualification campaign.
Throw in some stifling heat and lots of air miles across North America, and it's safe to assume England won't win the tournament. I'd expect the Three Lions to reach the quarter finals, and then discover they are no match for one of the great sides, like France, Spain or Argentina.
Who will be England’s best player?
Jude Bellingham will be expected to lead England's assault on the biggest prize of all. He is made for the big stage, and might feel like he has a point to prove to Thomas Tuchel, and those who dare to criticise him.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
England's breakout star could well be Elliot Anderson. In the space of a few months he has established himself in Tuchel's team, and appears to be one of the best midfielders in Europe. Next summer could take him to another level altogether.
Scott Trotter
How far England will go?
I'm not one to ever think England should win a tournament, but why not? The Three Lions have established themselves as contenders in recent tournaments and what better time to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the last success?
Who will be England's best player?
Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal winger has proven to be a consistent threat down the right for Arsenal and will continue to show his talents.
Jude Bellingham will have big moments and Harry Kane will score goals, but Saka will be pivotal in providing the creativity and distraction for those players to flourish. England's depth in those positions can hopefully allow Saka to remain fresh during the tournament too after a busy season.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
Elliott Anderson has already broken out in many ways but is starting to put together a real case for being an important player next summer. The trip to the US will be where he can show his talents to the wider world.
The Nottingham Forest star is extremely effective and has looked at ease, albeit against opposition who won't be challenging in the latter stages of the tournament. The 22-year-old is someone set to deliver performances rather than potential and will have a role in Thomas Tuchel's squad. The Geordie Maradona could lend a strong hand to England's World Cup ambitions.
Neil McLeman
How far England will go?
England have reached the finals of the last two Euros and were as good as finalists France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. Reaching the last four next summer has to be the minimum aim.
But England’s efficient progress through another qualifying campaign does not address the team’s poor record against big teams in major tournaments. That is why Thomas Tuchel’s decisions over Jude Bellingham, Adam Wharton, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold will be so fascinating over the next few months.
Can England unpick the likes of Spain and France without such creative talent and win by playing a high-energy, Premier League-style gameplan in the heat of North America? Some big names will be left at home.
Who will be England's best player?
It makes the role of Harry Kane next summer even more important for the Three Lions. Whoever is picked on the wings or in the No.10 role - and Morgan Rogers will surely now be in the final squad - the scoring form of the England captain will be crucial.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
Along with Rogers, Elliot Anderson has been the biggest unexpected plus of the England games this season and the Nottingham Forest midfielder is in pole position to star next summer alongside Declan Rice.
Tom Victor
How far will England go?
The biggest obstacle to a deep England run may well be the climate in North America. A friendly draw with games played away from the harshest heat could be enough for them to go all the way, but I fear other nations will be better suited to the conditions and England - through no huge fault of their own - will fall at the quarter-final stage once more.
Who will be England's best player?
A World Cup can often be about who is able to deliver even when targeted by opponents, making use of small amounts of space to produce the goods at the moments that matter. Bukayo Saka has plenty of experience of being that kind of target at club level, and moments like his goal against Switzerland at Euro 2024 show it’s hard to completely stop him even when he’s seemingly surrounded.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
This could be a tournament of calm and control rather than all-action displays, with the extreme heat potentially lending itself to slower games. Those are the areas where a player like Adam Wharton can stand out, and - if he can firmly force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans between now and June - he could provide something England have lacked at previous tournaments.
Sam Meade
How far England will go?
Sounds cliche but what side of the draw may dictate a lot. Gareth Southgate's fan club hated this but we have had some very generous runs in recent years. On balance I'd say quarter-finals would be just about right, semi-finals if we turn up on the day and can produce our best.
Who will be England's best player?
I think if we want semi-finals or further then our best player needs to be Harry Kane or Phil Foden. One of them is in form, one of them less so, and certainly hasn't been too consistent for England.
That said, Spain showed in 2024 that not having an elite striker is no barrier to winning tournaments. Instead they controlled the middle of the pitch - and that's where the likes of Declan Rice can really take charge.
Who will have a breakout tournament for the Three Lions?
Hard to look past Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson, who are both fantastic. The two could even compliment Rice in the middle of the pitch, but I get the sense Tuchel may opt for just one of them alongside the Arsenal star. Either way both look set for even bigger things and can show on the international stage that they are names to watch for the next decade and beyond.
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