England World Cup player ratings: Risers and fallers in Thomas Tuchel’s plans

In a new weekly series, the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer John Cross gives his England player ratings for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup 2026 squad

There are less than four months to go until England boss Thomas Tuchel has to pick his final England squad for this summer’s World Cup – and he has huge competition in almost every position.

Some of the best players in the Premier League and Europe are vying for the same spots as the countdown to the 2026 tournament hots up, while others have ground to make up before the season ends.

This week, the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer John Cross has watched two live games featuring Marc Guehi, Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly for Man City against Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher on Sunday; and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly in Champions League action midweek before the 4-0 win at Leeds.

Here, Cross gives his latest verdict on these selected players and how likely they are right now to be ‘on the plane’ in the summer. There’s the chance to have your say at the bottom of the article – so get involved.

READ MORE: World Cup 2026 predicted as winners, dark horse and England’s fate mapped

OPINION

John Cross

Dom Solanke

Match rating: 9/10

Wow. His performance felt like a game changer. He scored twice – his second was of such great quality – and also held the ball up, battled and put in a stunning centre forward’s display.

All in front of Thomas Tuchel. If he was not in his thoughts before – he is now.

Current form: 7/10

Four goals in four games since coming back and that is the sort of form and performance that Spurs have been missing.

He looked excellent against Man City and if he can gain some momentum, then the door really is open.

England squad rating: 6/10

If England are looking for a back-up to Harry Kane in terms of a classic centre forward, then Solanke must have a strong chance. If they want a different type then Ollie Watkins is probably ahead. But Solanke’s qualities must give him a chance.

Phil Foden

Match rating: 5/10

How can you judge him as an 88th minute substitute? It’s harsh. But he was brought on for two minutes of normal time and then nine minutes of injury time.

Too little, too late. He always looks ready, determined and hungry but could not unlock a way through for City.

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Current form: 6/10

This is the bigger worry. He has been eased out by Rayan Cherki and now Antoine Semenyo. The issue for Foden is there is so much competition at City. Can he get enough minutes to get back into top form?

England squad rating: 7/10

One big name is going to miss out. Will it be Bellingham, Rogers, Foden or Palmer? They cannot all go. One who is either not playing well or just plain unlucky will not go. Foden is in danger.

Conor Gallagher

Match rating: 6/10

He was tireless in his work rate, covered every blade of grass and really put a shift in. He ran himself into the ground and he really looked as if he might have given himself a chance in front of watching Thomas Tuchel.

Current form: 6/10

The big issue here is consistency and quality. There are probably others who can do both – tenacity and skill. Gallagher is capable of putting in a big shift. He must be on the long list.

England squad rating: 5/10

Let’s be clear: he left Spain to come back to the Premier League with the World Cup in mind. When someone is so single-minded, you have to give them a chance.

Marc Guehi

Match rating: 7/10

He has gone to City in a blockbuster deal and made them look better at the back. Calm, assured and good on the ball.

This was quite comfortable but he was actually involved in a major talking point because Solanke’s challenge on him looked a foul, was briefly given as an own goal against Guehi but eventually given to the Spurs striker.

Does it raise a question mark on Guehi’s strength? He is still a top player. A really good signing for City and the move will push him on to another level.

Current form: 7/10

Overall, Guehi looks in good form. He has gone to City, made a positive impact and that says much about his quality.

England squad rating: 9/10

He will start the World Cup in central defence – absolutely no question. He is top quality. Thomas Tuchel may have had doubts initially but has quickly seen that he, and Ezri Konsa, are England’s best pairing.

Nico O’Reilly

Match rating: 7/10

He actually started in midfield rather than left back which only underlines his versatility. He looks great in different roles.

He is huge! He was strong in midfield, kept running into people but was good in the game and looks a real prospect.

Current form: 5/10

His form and recent performances are the reason that even when Rayan Ait-Nouri is back, City have made room for him in midfield. That speaks volumes about his quality and Pep Guardiola’s faith in him.

England squad rating: 9/10

He is in pole position for the left back slot and, unless anything dramatic happens, he is nailed-on for the first game against Croatia.

Noni Madueke

Match rating: 4/10

He was absolutely terrible against Kairat Almaty, even smashing one virtually out of the ground when in a great position. You expect him to embrace and relish these opportunities – but sometimes it looks as if he is unhappy at being the back-up guy. And then three days later at Leeds…

Current form: 7/10

If you are judging a player on his current form and you are taking his last game, then Leeds was a very different performance. He was superb – and also stepped up after Bukayo Saka pulled out injured in the warm-up. He can be electric and his crossing was excellent.

England squad rating: 7/10

If Bukayo Saka is nailed-on, then Madueke may just be ahead of Jarrod Bowen even though the West Ham man is starting each week. However, Bowen’s form has been patchy. If Madueke gets game time, he should be ahead.

Eberechi Eze

Match rating: 6/10

His performance definitely divided opinion which is a shame because this was a rare chance for him. He started as a dual eight and not much came off for him. He kept trying a trademark little dink forward which rarely worked. He seems to have been now labelled as a central player at Arsenal and faces a battle with others in front of him.

Current form: 5/10

He got eight minutes as a substitute at Leeds and he is just not getting into any sort of groove. He had a purple patch around November when he started against Spurs, got a hat trick and we were ready for take-off. Then failed to track Matty Cash at Aston Villa and got dumped and written off as a left-sided option.

England squad rating: 6/10

He is in serious danger of becoming one of England’s biggest casualties. Moved to Arsenal to go to another level – and it’s not worked out like that yet. Others are ahead of him as a No10 and on the left. His best hope is his versatility.

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Myles Lewis-Skelly

Match rating: 6/10

Despite losing his regular place, he has actually had a lot of minutes in the Champions League with some very mixed performances. But, tellingly, he did not even make the match day squad for Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Leeds.

He is working super hard on aspects of his game – like pace and defending – but his chances are really fading because you cannot pick a player for England who is not a first choice for his club. He will get minutes in the rest of the campaign – but it’s hard to see him making the cut.

Current form: 6/10

His current form is disappointing. He was better against Kairat Almaty but they were pretty low level opponents. In the Premier League he has looked sluggish, lacking rhythm and guilty of taking too many risks in an effort to get noticed.

England squad rating: 5/10

Hard to see him making it on current form. It’s a shame as his rise to prominence was a great story. But his time will come again.

Ben White

Match rating: 7/10

He looked good, sharp and was solid. He has come back into the frame after regaining his fitness and still has a lovely understanding with Bukayo Saka as they can overlap and link up.

But he has fallen behind Jurrien Timber in the pecking order at Arsenal and his best hope is playing right back, Timber going to left back and White then starting at right back.

He is strong and attacking. Great on the ball.

Current form: 6/10

His current form is solid enough but, because he is another player in and out of the team – not picked for Leeds this weekend – it’s hard to make too much of a judgement.

England squad rating: 3/10

Hard to see him making it as things stand. He went home from Qatar in 2022 as he did not enjoy not getting any minutes. If he’s playing at his best, then he would be a strong shout to start for England. But he’s not.

Full England player ratings

Here are John Cross’s latest ratings for how likely each player on our 51-strong long list is to make the England squad (ranked out of 10). The players are ranked in order in their positions:

Goalkeepers

• Jordan Pickford: 10/10
• Dean Henderson 8/10
• Nick Pope 6/10
• James Trafford 5/10
• Aaron Ramsdale 3/10

Right Backs

• Reece James 9/10
• Trent Alexander-Arnold 5/10
• Rico Lewis 4/10
• Ben White 3/10

Left Backs

• Nico O’Reilly 9/10
• Tino Livramento 7/10
• Lewis Hall 7/10
• Djed Spence 6/10
• Myles Lewis-Skelly 5/10
• Luke Shaw 5/10
• Jack Hinshelwood 4/10

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Central Defenders

• Ezri Konsa 9/10
• Marc Guehi 9/10
• Jarell Quansah 8/10
• John Stones 7/10
• Dan Burn 7/10
• Trevoh Chalobah 6/10
• Harry Maguire 5/10
• Jarrad Branthwaite 4/10
• Levi Colwill 3/10

Midfielders

• Elliot Anderson 10/10
• Declan Rice 10/10
• Jordan Henderson 9/10
• Adam Wharton 6/10
• Curtis Jones 6/10
• Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10
• Kobbie Mainoo 6/10
• Conor Gallagher 5/10
• Mason Mount 4/10
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3/10

Right Forwards

• Bukayo Saka 9/10
• Noni Madueke 7/10
• Jarrod Bowen 6/10

Left Forwards

• Anthony Gordon 8/10
• Marcus Rashford 8/10
• Eberechi Eze 6/10

No10s

• Morgan Rogers 9/10
• Jude Bellingham 9/10
• Phil Foden 7/10
• Cole Palmer 6/10

Strikers

• Harry Kane 10/10
• Ollie Watkins 8/10
• Dominic Solanke 6/10
• Danny Welbeck 6/10
• Liam Delap 5/10
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5/10

Who will win the World Cup? Have your say below!