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The anticipation and build-up to all major tournaments in England are dominated by the prospect of the Three Lions ending decades of pain and the 2026 FIFA World Cup is no different.
While World Cup 2026 format changes and ticket prices have dominated the build-up off the pitch, there is no question where the focus is on the field of play for English fans.
Transitioning from Gareth Southgate’s impressive tenure to that of German Thomas Tuchel has been a rocky road thus far but results in big tournaments is what any manager is ultimately judged by.
Back to back runs to European Championship finals, as well as a couple of decent showings at the previous two World Cups, have England fans believing that the nation could come to a standstill in mid-July with a World Cup triumph.
The England team that lifted the 1966 World Cup remain revered for their exploits and how the class of 2026 would love to etch their name into English footballing folklore, six decades on.
With 48 teams in the mix in Canada, Mexico and the United States, England will have their work cut out to lift the World Cup trophy for a second time, but they are well fancied with many World Cup betting promotions.
Here is a look at where the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be won and lost for England:
FOR – Big names for big games
With astronomical sums of money being pumped into the English game, most notably in the Premier League, genuine world class talent is being produced by English clubs.
Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and John Stones have all lifted the Champions League at club level, Reece James and Cole Palmer are World Club Cup winners and the England squad is packed with players who ply their trade at the sharp end of the Premier League, week in, week out.
All of the above names are prolific performers for their clubs, while captain Harry Kane continues to blaze a trail for German giants Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Having a squad packed with big names doesn’t always work for England, as the star-studded side of the mid 2000’s will attest to, however, part of Gareth Southgate’s legacy is the team unit he has created with England and Thomas Tuchel will be desperate to continue that through the World Cup.
The sheer quality in the English ranks has been recognised by many sportsbooks, with England firmly in the mix when it comes to World Cup 2026 betting odds.
AGAINST – It’s happening again!
For all the positivity surrounding this current cohort of England players, the fact remains that despite plenty of near misses, they are yet to get the job done at international level.
The weight of expectation in major tournament football in England can be crippling for some players and once results turn, the English public are quick to see things in a negative light too.
Penalty heartache is something that has long been associated with English football, most recently rearing its head in the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy at Wembley.
All of these factors will play on the minds of this England team, who despite being pretty young, have been scarred with some near misses in recent times.
Finishing fourth in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was seen as a huge step forwards but the semi-final loss to Croatia still feels like a missed opportunity.
Losing in the final of Euro 2020 to Italy is another one that rankles with fans, while the 2022 quarter final defeat to France, complete with Harry Kane missed penalty, is another stinger for English fans.
Spain were the undoubted worthy winners of Euro 2024, and they are the favourites for glory this time around with many FIFA World Cup betting predictions but England had their chances against them in the final too.
Something will have to change for England to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the narrative does sometimes look to be conspiring against them.
FOR – Settled squad
One of the hallmarks of the Gareth Southgate era was the settled team that England stuck with for most games and that looks to have carried over into Thomas Tuchel’s management structure.
Jordan Pickford remains the man in possession of the number one jersey, with Marc Guehi and John Stones expected to be the first choice pairing in central defence, if fit.
Nico O’Reilly looks set to make it three Manchester City defenders in the mix at left back, while Ezri Konsa has fitted in very well at right back of late.
Midfield options are abundant, but the combination of Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson is currently seen as the optimum one, with Jude Bellingham raring to go in behind them.
Pace and width can be offered in the form of Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, with captain Harry Kane ready to go up front.
With a stellar cast of names not in that starting XI including Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Antony Gordon, England are truly spoilt for choice at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
AGAINST – The heat is on
Hosting the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States during their traditional summer was always a moot point and England will be feeling the heat.
If the bumper temperatures don’t make Tuchel and his side hot under the collar, the pressure from the fans and the media back home, certainly will do.
Having not seen a major tournament win for 60 years, England fans are impatient and expectant when it comes to the national team.
They have plenty of experienced heads in their ranks, across both the playing and coaching staff but until they actually get over the line and win a major tournament for England, they will be tarred with the same brush as every England side that has come before them.
