World Cup
World Cup 2026: Bellingham expected to play, Guhi waiting on bench
June 13, 2026 · TaegeukGoal
Jude Bellingham is expected to make his first appearance for England at the 2026 World Cup, while Marc Guich is expected to wait on the bench.
England coach Thomas Tuchel revealed in his first media briefing in the United States that he has a list of 14 to 15 players in mind for England's opening match at the 2026 World Cup. Speculation about team selection is important for any manager, but it is possible that Tuchel may have hinted at his team composition for Wednesday's final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica. There is a feeling within the team that the team that starts in Orlando will be similar to the team that will start in the competition. This means that Jude Bellingham will have an advantage in his competition with Morgan Rogers. The Bellingham-Rogers debate was one of the most hotly debated topics before the convention. Bellingham's ability and history of producing special moments for England are unquestionable. Since he plays in a high-pressure environment at Real Madrid, he is certain to feature in this tournament as well. However, Rodgers' prominence in the central attacking position is causing uncertainty about Bellingham's role. However, it is likely that Rodgers will have to sit on the bench, with news that the team he started in the 3-0 win over Costa Rica will be closer to the team Tuchel will select for the game against Croatia. Additionally, John Stones and Ezri Konsa are expected to appear as England's first central defense pairing. This may come as a shock to many, considering Marc Guich was considered the team's first-choice centre-back. Following his move from Crystal Palace to Manchester City, Guhi received more playing opportunities than Stones at the end of the season under Pep Guardiola. Guihi played a central role in England's plans for Euro 2024 and was expected to see his international career rise further under Tuchel. However, manager Tuchel has recently shown a tendency to prefer the physical strengths of Stones and Konsa. Coach Tuchel will have to consider balance in the match against Croatia. Since Guich typically plays as a left-sided central defender, balance issues can still arise in situations where both players are right-footed. On the right-hand side of England's attack, Noni Madueke replaced Bukyao Saka on Wednesday. Of course, a fully healthy Saka is likely to feature before his Arsenal teammate. However, coach Tuchel noted that Saka would need maintenance during the tournament due to a lower body muscle injury. Arsenal have concerns about Saka's fitness, even more so now that he is out of the club. However, there is hope that Saka's stamina is improving every day. If England played in the group stage today, Saka would likely play, but it is unclear whether he would be able to play until the end. Therefore, how much protection Tuchel will provide Saka as we enter the group stage will have a big impact on the team he chooses.
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