England manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly settled on his attacking trident for the Three Lions’ 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Croatia. Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon are expected to flank Jude Bellingham in what amounts to a significant shake-up of England’s forward line.
The match, scheduled for June 18, 2026, kicks off England’s Group L campaign in the expanded tournament being held across North America.
Tuchel’s selection gamble
Madueke getting the nod over Bukayo Saka on the right wing, and Gordon starting ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left, would have been unthinkable even a couple of years ago. Both Saka and Rashford, long considered automatic selections for England’s attack, are projected to start on the bench. The decision reportedly comes down to fitness levels and tactical rotations.
Madueke himself has spoken publicly about England’s depth advantage heading into the tournament, suggesting that the squad’s internal rivalry could prove decisive across the expanded World Cup format.
