Tuchel is having a headache choosing the England squad ahead of the World Cup.
He finished the qualifying round with eight wins out of eight, scoring 22 goals and conceding none; Tuchel had to decide on a number 10, a backup option for Kane, and a left-back.
England completed their World Cup qualifying campaign with a victory over Albania, capping off a perfect run under Thomas Tuchel: eight wins out of eight, 22 goals scored and none conceded. Entering the squad selection phase, Tuchel faces three major decisions: the race for the number 10 spot between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, a backup option for Harry Kane, and solutions in defense – particularly at left-back.
| Qualifying score | Value |
|---|---|
| Match | 8 wins |
| Goal | 22 |
| Conceded goal | 0 |
Race #10: Bellingham or Rogers?
This is the biggest hot spot in Tuchel's World Cup preparations. Morgan Rogers – who has played in all 10 matches under the German coach – has fully capitalized on Jude Bellingham's absence following shoulder surgery. To date, Rogers has 531 minutes of playing time, slightly more than Bellingham's 374 minutes.
Returning after a 25-minute substitute appearance against Serbia, Bellingham started against Albania and played quite well. However, the midfielder received a yellow card for a foul after losing possession and showed displeasure at being substituted – an issue Tuchel said he would look into. Nevertheless, Bellingham's high-level prestige was evident even off the pitch: Albania's Kristjan Asllani asked to swap shirts at halftime.
Tuchel maintains healthy competition and doesn't blindly follow the "star player principle." Rogers is progressing rapidly, while Bellingham is a proven decision-maker on the big stage. His experience could give Bellingham an advantage when Tuchel finalizes the starting lineup for the World Cup opening match.
| Player | Minutes of play under Tuchel |
|---|---|
| Morgan Rogers | 531 |
| Jude Bellingham | 374 |
Kane is irreplaceable – but who will be his backup?
Harry Kane capped off the qualifying campaign with a brace against Albania, both scoring and contributing to build-up play, and dropping back to provide support when needed. The quality gap between Kane and the rest of the team is Tuchel's biggest concern.
Danny Welbeck was considered "very close" to a call-up, but Tuchel said he understood what the player could bring and didn't feel the need to call him up in November. Ollie Watkins was used, while Ivan Toney – called up from Saudi Arabia – only played two minutes in the friendly against Senegal, a decision that remains puzzling to this day.
Some makeshift options include Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon as a central striker, and Phil Foden could be pushed further forward when tactics are adjusted. However, in reality, no one comes close to Kane's level.
The defensive problem and the left-back position remain open.
Against Albania, John Stones demonstrated his versatility: starting as a centre-back but frequently pushing forward to play as a midfielder when the team had possession. If England use a four-defender system at the World Cup, Tuchel will have to choose two centre-backs from the trio of John Stones, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guehi. Stones has the advantage of experience, while Konsa and Guehi have both improved despite missing the last match.
Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen) impressed in his first start, demonstrating his ability to play both center-back and full-back. On the left wing, the race is open. Three young players, Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Djed Spence (Tottenham), and Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), have all been given debut opportunities; O'Reilly started the last two games and made a strong impression.
Tino Livramento (Newcastle) – currently injured – remains the top candidate. Lewis-Skelly is ruled out due to lack of playing time this season, and O'Reilly may be ahead of Spence. In short, the left-back position is still up for grabs.
Left wing and Rashford's shot
Bukayo Saka is almost certain to start on the right wing. On the left wing, Marcus Rashford impressed with an accurate cross that helped Kane score a brace against Albania. His competitors include Anthony Gordon – energetic and versatile – and Noni Madueke (Arsenal), who is highly regarded by Tuchel but is currently injured.
Jack Grealish has played well at Everton but hasn't been called up since 2024. Eberechi Eze can play left wing or number 10, but hasn't yet surpassed Bellingham and Rogers for a central midfield role. If Rashford wants to shape Tuchel's options, his assist against Albania was a step in the right direction.
Next leg
Tuchel has completed the first phase with a perfect qualifying campaign. But decisions about the number 10, backup for Kane, and defensive structure will shape England's journey to the 2026 World Cup – where they aim to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.
