By Ramsay Hodgson
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England’s 2-1 defeat by Spain in the 2024 Euros eufinal added yet another traumatic tournament loss to English football history.
Head coach Gareth Southgate, the players and fans alike will be licking their wounds after Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner broke English hearts.
But sooner rather than later an assessment will need to be done of what comes next for this England squad.
The next World Cup is just two years away and will be hosted in North America between the USA, Mexico and Canada.
It will provide England with another opportunity to end the years of hurt and secure a second piece of international silverware as the wait goes on from 1966. Mail Sport judges which players will survive to the 2026 squad and who will be gone.
Which of England’s 2024 team will keep their places for the 2026 World Cup in North America?
Gareth Southgate could yet be a casualty of falling short against Spain in Sunday’s Euros final
Jordan Pickford – STAY
England‘s undisputed No1 pulled off some vital saves throughout the tournament. His two fine stops in the final against Lamine Yamal shots kept his side in the game before Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner.
At 6 foot 1, Pickford isn’t the largest of keepers in the international game but he increasingly commands his box and he remains one of the best shot stoppers in world football. Fizzing with energy, Pickford will still be in his prime in North America in two years time.
Luke Shaw – STAY
Although he barely featured at this Euros, Shaw remains England’s one standout left back. His goal in the final of Euro 2020 being his best moment for the Three Lions. Gareth Southgate was forced to deploy Kieran Trippier at left back in Shaw’s absence in a much-criticised move that saw England’s left side of attack stunted.
And unless Ben Chilwell, Rico Henry, Levi Colwill or some other as yet unknown youngster breaks through in the next two years, Shaw will rightly remain England’s go-to left back.
Jordan Pickford is England’s undisputed No1 and there is no better English left back than Luke Shaw (pictured behind Pickford)
Marc Guehi – STAY
The young Crystal Palace centre-back stepped up superbly when given the opportunity after Harry Maguire was dropped.
If he keeps putting in similar performances for his club to the ones that saw him selected in the first place and then shine for England in Germany it’ll be hard to take the shirt off him. It’ll also be hard for Palace to keep ahold of their international star.
John Stones – STAY
Praised during the tournament by David Moyes as ‘three players in one’, Stones was at the heart of England’s defence and ball movement yet again.
Honed by Pep Guardiola, at the age of 30 and with just shy of 80 caps to his name, Stones’ experience at five international tournaments will be crucial at the next World Cup with a young England squad.
John Stones (left) and Marc Guehi (right) formed a strong defensive pairing and look set to retain their spots in 2026
Kyle Walker – GO
Manchester City’s Kyle Walker has been a servant for the Three Lions picking up almost a century of caps.
At the age of 34, his solid performance’s throughout EURO 2024 have belied his age.
But will he still be able to put in the necessary lung-busting runs to man-mark the likes of Kylian Mbappe at the next World Cup when he hits 36?
And with so much strength in depth at right back with Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben White all waiting in the wings, 2026 will be high time for a new man on the right.
Kyle Walker (right) will be 36 at the next World Cup and someone like Reece James (left) will be keen to replace him
Declan Rice – STAY
Despite Arsenal’s £105million man being dubbed ‘useless’ by former Spurs man Rafael van der Vaart after England’s 2-1 defeat by Spain in the final, Rice is set to remain the cornerstone of all the Three Lions do.
Rice was criticised by Van der Vaart for failing to move England forward.
‘He comes to collect a ball only to pass it back to John Stones. He is useless. If you are truly worth 100m, then you should be able to play a ball forward,’ said the Dutchman.
But Rice is worth his weight in gold for both club and country and has barely missed a moment’s football this season. He played every minute of England’s seven-games in Germany and attempted more passes in the final than every other England player. With 58 caps at the age of just 25, a rejuvenated Rice will remain the hinge between England’s defence and midfield in 2026.
Despite the criticism, Declan Rice will remain the focal point of England’s central midfield
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY
So many hopes for the future of England’s midfield rest on Manchester United’s 19-year-old starlet.
The careers of similarly hyped young English midfielders have waned in the past, Jack Wilshere and Ravel Morrison being just two on a long list, but Mainoo seems mature beyond his years both mentally and physically.
Kicking on for his club and tying down a regular spot in England’s midfield will be vital over the next two years for Mainoo. And if his performances in Germany are anything to go by, then he’s likely to be a guaranteed starter come the 2026 World Cup.
19-year-old star Kobbie Mainoo has many tournaments ahead of him, including the World Cup
Jude Bellingham – STAY
Despite *that* overhead kick, EURO 2024 will be one Jude Bellingham will want to forget quickly.
The former Birmingham City and Dortmund midfielder shone for Real Madrid in his first season in Spain, scoring 19 goals. But his performances in Germany left something to be desired as he failed to have the impact fans and he himself desired. Bellingham’s frustration boiled over after defeat by Spain in the final as he lashed out at a water cooler.
Bellingham certainly isn’t lacking in confidence though, or sublime talent, and he will be back. The experience of international knockout football after a long and tiring season will have helped him grow as a player and come 2026 he’ll be England’s attacking talisman.
Jude Bellingham wasn’t at his best during EURO 2024 and he will want to bounce back in 2026
Phil Foden – JURY’S OUT
Played on the left wing for much of the tournament and allowed to drift inside, seemingly into the path of his teammate Bellingham, this also wasn’t Phil Foden’s tournament.
Perhaps the Three Lions’ most creative player, his best performance came against the Netherlands but it was still nothing compared with his stellar performances for his club Manchester City.
It’s quite amazing to think that the Stockport-born Foden will still only be 26 at the 2026 World Cup and if he is to become an England legend as well as a Man City one, he’ll need to shine in North America.
While Foden’s place on the plane isn’t up for debate, whether Cole Palmer can force his way into the starting lineup is a question worth asking.
Phil Foden’s England performances weren’t anywhere near his level for Manchester City
Bukayo Saka – STAY
England’s one standout attacking performer in Germany. Starboy Saka’s screamer against Switzerland would have been England’s goal of the tournament had it not been for Jude Bellingham’s round of 16 bicycle kick.
Saka is a genuine outlet with his pace, finesse and physicality and a goal threat too.
By 2026 he will still only be 23 years old and will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
The only concern surrounding the Arsenal winger is the number of minutes he has already played in his young career, some 13,445 in the Premier League alone.
Bukayo Saka had bright moments for England, but went to Germany after a heavy schedule
Harry Kane (c) – JURY’S OUT
Despite coming in EURO 2024 with good form having scored 36 goals for Bayern Munich in his first season, England captain Harry Kane had a torrid tournament.
Although he shared the Golden Boot with four other players after finishing the tournament on three goals, Kane appeared to labour throughout many of the games and was hauled off in the final after just 61 minutes for Ollie Watkins.
Semi-final hero Watkins was seen demanding the ball as he stretched the game and Cole Palmer scored the equaliser just 12 minutes after Watkins’ introduction.
His pace, never a strong-suit, has clearly faded and he appeared to be carrying a knock too in Germany.
With time against him and several younger strikers coming through, there are serious questions to be asked as to whether England’s captain and all time top goal scorer will still be in the starting team or even the squad come 2026.
Despite scoring three goals and sharing the Golden Boot, Harry Kane’s (right) Euros were poor
Aaron Ramsdale – JURY’S OUT
Completely out of favour at Arsenal, Ramsdale made just six league appearances for the Gunners last season. His howler against Brentford in March didn’t help his cause either.
If Ramsdale wants to remain England’s first backup he will need to secure regular first team football. A move to newly promoted Southampton has been suggested, but his price tag and wages could be obstacles to a deal.
Without first team football, the likes of Nick Pope and even James Trafford could challenge Ramsdale for a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad.
Dean Henderson – JURY’S OUT
Dean Henderson appears to be in a better position to Ramsdale, making 18 appearances for Crystal Palace last season. But the former Manchester United keeper has very healthy competition for the No1 shirt at Selhurst Park with fellow England man Sam Johnstone and Vincente Guaita both in the squad.
But with Johnstone aged 31 and Guaita a veteran at 37, if Henderson nails down his starting spot he’ll be hard to overlook come 2026.
Aaron Ramsdale (left) and Dean Henderson both need to nail down first team starting spots
Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAY
The Alexander-Arnold midfield project has seemingly come to an end once and for all after disappointing performances in a poorly balanced system in the group stage.
But the Liverpool star confounded his critics in thunderous fashion when he smashed the winning penalty past Yann Sommer in the quarter final shootout. It was a fearless moment from the right back.
But where will he fit in in two year’s time for England? At right back, or will Southgate, or a new England manager, once again try to resuscitate the midfield move? Either way, Alexander-Arnold is shoo in for a spot on the plane, a starting berth is another question especially if Reece James is fully fit.
Kieran Trippier – GO
Kieran Trippier has never been England’s most athletic player. He has relied upon his tactical nous, fine right boot and dogged attitude to earn more than a half century of caps for his country.
But the Newcastle United player will be 34 come the World Cup and there are plenty of younger right backs snapping at his heals.
Trippier’s ability to play left back endeared him to Gareth Southgate, but his deployment there in Germany stunted England’s attack. Whoever is England manager at the 2026 World Cup will need to select more than just Luke Shaw as a natural left-sided defender to avoid repeating that injury enforced error of 2024.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (centre) is all but guaranteed a place in 2026 but Kieran Trippier could be out of the squad
Joe Gomez – JURY’S OUT
Liverpool’s Gomez is another versatile option within England’s defensive ranks favoured by Southgate.
Capable of playing across the back four or a back five, Gomez is seemingly a player without a best position. But a player without a position may become a player without a home as England look to add more specialised depth ahead of the next World Cup.
Despite being 27, Gomez has only picked up 17 caps as a result of not shining in one position more than another in defence compared with his compatriots.
It could well be a tight run thing for him to secure a spot on the plane.
Lewis Dunk – GO
At 32 and lacking pace, Lewis Dunk is surely not a name that will feature on the next England World Cup squad list. The talented Brighton defender reads the game superbly but has never made the regular step-up to the international game, picking up just six caps.
With younger players like Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa trusted over him at EURO 2024 and young Everton star and Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite having made his debut in March, there will be little room for Dunk.
Ezri Konsa – STAY
With Marc Guehi suspended for the quarter-final against Switzerland, it was Aston Villa’s Konsa who stepped up for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate’s trust was rewarded as the 26-year-old put in a solid performance alongside John Stones and Kyle Walker. With Champions League football now a reality for Konsa, he will only improve as a player, particularly under the tutelage of Unai Emry.
While he may not be a first choice in the starting team, he’ll be hard to knock out of the squad.
As a solid squad player, Ezri Konsa is likely to keep his spot in the side ahead of the World Cup
Lewis Dunk (left) will be replaced by a younger player like Jarrad Branthwaite and Joe Gomez (right) may also struggle to keep his place in the squad
Adam Wharton – STAY
Another of England’s great midfield hopes, 20-year-old Wharton has bags of potential. Bayern Munich are even rumoured to have come knocking at Selhurst Park this summer as they looked to poach another Palace star after signing Michael Olise for £50million.
With two more years to develop in the Premier League before the next World Cup, Wharton is likely to feature yet again in the England squad. His game time for England could be limited due to the prodigious talents ahead of him in the current pecking order, but it would be a brave person to bet against this technically gifted youngster becoming a star.
Conor Gallagher – JURY’S OUT
After Gareth Southgate surprisingly claimed England don’t have a ‘natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips’ after their 1-1 group stage draw with Denmark, many eyes turned to Conor Gallagher.
The Chelsea midfielder certainly has an engine on him and he was brought on twice for Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield in the group stage. But he failed to impress in his one start of the tournament against Slovenia and was hauled off after 46 minutes for Kobbie Mainoo.
With young talents like Mainoo and Wharton coming through, Gallagher will have to step-up for Chelsea in the next two years if he wants to retain his spot in the squad.
The incessant rumours that he may leave Chelsea won’t help him on that front either.
Youngster Adam Wharton (centre) looks to have a better chance of making the squad than his former Palace teammate Conor Gallagher (right)
Eberechi Eze – STAY
26-year-old Eze was something of a wildcard inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s EURO 2024 squad as more experienced players like Jack Grealish were overlooked.
Eze managed 99 minutes on the pitch in Germany and certainly didn’t look out of place, adding some attacking intent and creativity on the ball.
If the Palace midfielder, linked with a move to Tottenham, can continue his good form in the Premier League and stay injury free he will be hard to overlook come 2026.
Anthony Gordon – STAY
Many an England fan demanded that Gareth Southgate start Anthony Gordon on the left wing during the Euros to give the Three Lions a much needed outlet.
It was perhaps surprising then that the Newcastle speedster was handed just one minute of action by Southgate.
Gordon is only 23 years young though and will be in the prime of his career in North America. Whether he can oust one of his superstar compatriots from the starting XI can’t yet be known, but his raw pace and ability to get to the byline make him a must pick for the squad.
Eberechi Eze (right) and Anthony Gordon (left) offer something completely different to England’s other midfielders
Cole Palmer – STAY
How will ‘Ice Cold’ Palmer look back at his equaliser in the final just moments after he stepped onto the pitch? It was a superbly placed and technically challenging finish that looked to have sent the game to extra-time and given England hope.
It wasn’t to be.
Rather than making him another of England’s heroes, the goal will now be added to Palmer’s litany of screamers for Chelsea. It’s clear that he is one of England’s most gifted players and lethal goalscorers.
He will be one of the first names on the squad list for 2026 and questions are now being asked as to whether he might even deserve a start over Phil Foden.
Jarrod Bowen – JURY’S OUT
There can be no doubting how instrumental Jarrod Bowen has been for West Ham over the past three seasons. But the 27-year-old attacker was another of the more surprising inclusions in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for EURO 2024 and only made one uneventful appearance.
Competition for spots in the 2026 World Cup squad among England’s attackers will be rampant in the next two seasons. Bowen will need to produce yet more heroics for the Hammers under new coach Julen Lopetegui if he is to survive.
Cole Palmer’s bittersweet screamer against Spain was just the next in a long line of worldies scored by the former Man City midfielder
Jarrod Bowen will have to keep up his goalscoring levels under new West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui
Ivan Toney – JURY’S OUT
Ivan Toney’s no-look penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Switzerland was one of the moments of EURO 2024.
And in the brief appearances he made for the Three Lions in Germany he asserted himself physically. To hold onto his spot in the squad he will need to hit the ground running over the next two seasons with Brentford and regain his pre-betting ban form.
When he returned from his ban last season his form was patchy as he netted just four times in 17 appearances for The Bees.
There will also be question marks over his age as the 28-year-old will be 30 when the World Cup kicks off in 2026 and he’s not the fastest as it is.
With Harry Kane having struggled in the Euros, eyes have turned to others who might lead the line for England including Ivan Toney (left) and Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins – STAY
England’s semi-final hero produced another strong showing in the final against Spain. He didn’t score but he harried and stretched the Spanish defence in a performance that completely contrasted with Harry Kane’s lackluster showing.
Watkins, who was prolific this season scoring 27 times for Aston Villa, will be 30 years old and in his prime in 2026, with at least one season of Champions League football for Villa under his belt.
Might he yet become England’s first choice No9?
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
