Thomas Tuchel will name his 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup on Friday.Some names are guaranteed and some have played their way into contention. Others have fallen away, due to injury or fading form.But who would you choose to line up for England in their opening game against Croatia on June 17? Stick with Tuchel’s regulars? Bring in some fresh blood? Adjust the formation?We’ve built a tool that allows you to pick your own starting XI from among hundreds of England-affiliated players. After you pick your lineup, you’ll be able to see who other readers picked, along with a handful of choices from our reporters and editors. Pick your formation England have tended to play a 4-2-3-1 formation under Thomas Tuchel, but do you think that is the best use of his squad? 4-2-3-1England’s current formation; allows for three creators behind a No 9; requires two robust central midfielders 4-3-3Three midfielders offers an overload in a key zone; often requires a dominant centre-forward who can avoid being isolated 4-4-2Two centre-forwards can occupy opposition defences; defensively solid though central midfield can be outnumbered 3-4-2-1Highly flexible; wide players must contribute defensively and offensively; allows for two No 10s behind a No 9 OtherOr select one of these Who Athletic readers picked in England’s starting XI Goalkeepers GK Jordan Pickford Everton 84%GK Dean Henderson Crystal Palace 8%GK Aaron Ramsdale Newcastle 4%GK Sam Johnstone Wolves 2%GK James Trafford Man City 2% Defenders DEF Marc Guéhi Man City 80%DEF Nico O’Reilly Man City 59%DEF Reece James Chelsea 47%DEF Trent Alexander-Arnold Real Madrid 35%DEF Ezri Konsa Aston Villa 35%DEF John Stones Man City 31%DEF Harry Maguire Man United 29%DEF Luke Shaw Man United 12% Midfielders & Forwards FWD Harry Kane Bayern Munich 84%MID Declan Rice Arsenal 78%FWD Bukayo Saka Arsenal 78%MID Jude Bellingham Real Madrid 69%FWD Marcus Rashford Barcelona 35%FWD Morgan Rogers Aston Villa 35%MID Elliot Anderson Nottm Forest 33%MID Cole Palmer Chelsea 29% Most popular formations 4-2-3-1 61% 4-3-3 20% 3-4-2-1 8% 4-4-2 6% 3-4-3 2% 4-1-4-1 2% Based on a sample of responses from The Athletic readers. Who our experts picked We also asked The Athletic football experts Matt Slater, Reuben Pinder, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Duncan White, Max Mathews, Dan Sheldon and Rob Tanner for their picks. Only five players — Jordan Pickford, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka — made it into all eight lineups: Picks from The AthleticMS Matt Slater Senior News WriterRP Reuben Pinder Senior Video ProducerJPB Jack Pitt-Brooke Football WriterSSB Seb Stafford-Bloor German Football CorrespondentDW Duncan White Deputy EditorMM Max Mathews Staff Writer, LiveDS Dan Sheldon Football WriterRT Rob Tanner Leicester City CorrespondentGK Jordan PickfordMID Jude BellinghamMID Declan RiceFWD Harry KaneFWD Bukayo SakaDEF Marc GuéhiDEF Reece JamesDEF Nico O’ReillyDEF John StonesFWD Marcus RashfordMID Elliot AndersonDEF Ezri KonsaMID Adam WhartonDEF Lewis HallDEF Tino LivramentoMID Eberechi EzeFWD Anthony Gordon Here is every full XI in formation, along with a short note about the trickiest decision each expert faced during the process. Matt Slater Senior News Writer Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyMarc GuéhiJohn StonesReece JamesDeclan RiceElliot AndersonMarcus RashfordJude BellinghamBukayo SakaHarry Kane Trickiest decision: “Bellingham v Rogers: the latter wins on team chemistry, form and recent performances for England, but the former is...Jude Bellingham. England aren’t good enough to leave a talent like his on the bench.”Reuben Pinder Senior Video Producer Jordan PickfordLewis HallMarc GuéhiEzri KonsaReece JamesDeclan RiceAdam WhartonMarcus RashfordJude BellinghamBukayo SakaHarry Kane Trickiest decision: “Choosing Rice’s midfield partner; I think Wharton’s line-breaking passing could be a huge weapon in the baking hot sun.”Jack Pitt-Brooke Football Writer Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyMarc GuéhiJohn StonesTino LivramentoDeclan RiceElliot AndersonMarcus RashfordJude BellinghamBukayo SakaHarry Kane Trickiest decision: “The big question is whether Stones is fit enough to play. He has barely featured for Manchester City recently but if he can move, I’d pick him.”Seb Stafford-Bloor German Football Correspondent Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyEzri KonsaJohn StonesReece JamesDeclan RiceJude BellinghamAdam WhartonMarcus RashfordHarry KaneBukayo Saka Trickiest decision: “Including Wharton, because I value his passing and his chance creation - England need that - but I’m overlooking a ball-winner to fit him in and am possibly inviting security issues.”Duncan White Deputy Editor Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyMarc GuéhiEzri KonsaReece JamesDeclan RiceJude BellinghamElliot AndersonMarcus RashfordHarry KaneBukayo Saka Trickiest decision: “Leaving out Cole Palmer. No other England player has his improvisational brilliance but he’s out of form and the dynamic of the team requires direct running and pace on the left.”Max Mathews Staff Writer, Live Jordan PickfordLewis HallMarc GuéhiJohn StonesReece JamesDeclan RiceAdam WhartonEberechi EzeJude BellinghamBukayo SakaHarry Kane Trickiest decision: “Adam Wharton over Elliot Anderson is a tough call but Wharton has real positivity and ambition, while Eberechi Eze and Lewis Hall is a left side based on the defensive question marks over Nico O’Reilly and the middling form of Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford. Everyone else basically picks themselves.”Dan Sheldon Football Writer Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyMarc GuéhiJohn StonesReece JamesDeclan RiceElliot AndersonAnthony GordonJude BellinghamBukayo SakaHarry Kane Trickiest decision: “Choosing who to start on the left wing caused me the biggest headache as you can make strong cases for Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford, but I like the threat and direct nature of Anthony Gordon attacking down that flank, so he is my pick.”Rob Tanner Leicester City Correspondent Jordan PickfordNico O’ReillyMarc GuéhiJohn StonesReece JamesElliot AndersonDeclan RiceJude BellinghamMarcus RashfordHarry KaneBukayo Saka Trickiest decision: “Marc Guehi is now England’s first choice central defender, who should partner him? Do you go with youth in Ezri Konsa or the experience of John Stones and take the gamble with his fitness. I would twist on this one… but have Konsa constantly warming up.” Photo credits:Julian Finney/Getty Images; Alex Pantling/Getty Images; Justin Setterfield/Getty Images; Judit Cartiel/Getty Images; Mike Hewitt/Getty Images