With 100 days until England's World Cup opener against Croatia, Thomas Tuchel will be thinking long and hard about which players will make the cut.
The familiar mix of optimism, expectation and quiet anxiety has already begun to surface as supporters dare to imagine whether this might finally be the summer when England’s long wait for glory ends.
The tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the largest in World Cup history.
Yet, amid the expanded format and global spectacle, the focus at home remains the same: can England translate a generation of outstanding talent into the nation’s first major trophy since 1966?
Now led by Tuchel, the pressure to get it right is higher than ever.
At the centre of England’s hopes remain some key names that even the most unenthusiastic football watchers will cheer on.
You've got captain Harry Kane, starboy Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice, whom Tuchel will have already asked to prepare their passports and boarding passes. But who else should make the cut?
GB News explores which unlikely Premier League stars might prove essential to ending the Three Lions' 60 years of hurt.
Now led by Tuchel, the pressure to get it right is higher than ever
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Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson has emerged as one of the Premier League's most statistically dominant midfielders
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Elliot Anderson has emerged as one of the Premier League's most statistically dominant midfielders this season.
Now, transitioned into a complete box-to-box playmaker, excelling in both defensive stability and offensive progression – exactly what England have been calling out for.
With Declan Rice, typically dropping in a deeper role for his country, the Three Lions have long called out for a number eight.
Anderson has won more ground duels (over 239) and made more ball recoveries (243) than almost any other Premier League midfielder this season.
He ranks in the 98th percentile for touches in the opposition penalty area and the 84th percentile for progressive passes.
Following his UEFA U21 EURO success in 2025, Anderson was fast-tracked into the senior England squad by Thomas Tuchel and earned the Man of the Match award on his debut.
He last started just two games ago in a World Cup Qualifier against Serbia.
Whilst it is hard to doubt he will be on the plane, Anderson remains a top pick for an unlikely star to emerge as an England hero.
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers has established himself as an elite attacking playmaker
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Up the other end of the Premier League table, Morgan Rogers has established himself as an elite attacking playmaker, currently driving Aston Villa's push for a top-four finish.
He is Villa's leading scorer and assist-maker this season, has created 10 big chances in the Premier League and recorded a high volume of touches in the opposition penalty area (144).
Using his 6ft 2in frame to drive through midfield contact, Rogers ranks among the league's best for progressive carries (65) and successful dribbles.
Under Thomas Tuchel, Rogers looks the first choice to start in the number 10 role at the World Cup, potentially ahead of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer.
Whilst many fans will be drawn to the arguably bigger name of Bellingham, especially when he rescued England with a dramatic 95th-minute bicycle kick against Slovakia in the 2024 Euro Round of 16, Rogers looks like a favourite under Tuchel.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze has continued his world-class trajectory
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Another midfield option at the hands of the England boss is Arsenal's Eberechi Eze, who has continued his world-class trajectory after securing a high-profile £67.5million summer move to the Emirates.
He remains one of the league's most prolific dribblers, completing nearly 60 per cent of his attempted take-ons, adding an exciting edge to a team that in recent tournaments can be quite rigid.
Although the attacking midfielder does not always start for his club, he has so far netted six Premier League goals for Arsenal, five across two North London Derby clashes against Tottenham.
A player who turns up most when the pressure is the highest should be exactly what Tuchel is looking for in his first major tournament selection.
Tuchel recognises this. Eze has become a regular fixture in the England squad, scoring crucial goals in World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Andorra.
Jared Bowen
Jared Bowen has consistently featured in Tuchel's Three Lions squads
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Despite England's overflowing talent on the attacking right flank, Jared Bowen has consistently featured in Tuchel's Three Lions squads.
Featuring in four of England's successful World Cup qualifiers while competing with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, the West Ham talisman is on the cusp of becoming a global superstar.
Despite West Ham's struggles in the bottom half of the table, he recently broke the club record for all-time Premier League goal involvements and has become a top transfer target for big six clubs.
He is currently the joint-second highest-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season with eight goals, trailing only Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The attacker's versatility could also see him become the difference-maker in England's quest for glory.
Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins once looked like a clear choice to take to the tournament
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Unlike most players on this list, Ollie Watkins, who once looked like a clear choice to take to the tournament, is currently in poor form and has seen a significant decline in goal-scoring efficiency.
After a career-best of 16 goals and eight assists last season, Watkins has struggled for consistency with Aston Villa.
He has recorded eight goals and one assist in 28 Premier League matches this season.
With Dominic Solanke, Ivan Toney, and even Dominic Calvert-Lewin challenging for his spot, his recent struggles have placed his squad position under intense scrutiny.
However, England lacks a natural number two striker behind Kane, so Watkins still seems like the best choice.
Harvey Barnes
Harvey Barnes officially rejected an approach from Scotland to play in the 2026 World Cup
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Harvey Barnes has been a standout performer for Newcastle United this season, often filling in effectively for injured teammates like Anthony Gordon.
He has recorded 12 goals and four assists across all competitions, including some impressive performances in the Champions League.
He has only one senior cap, when he made his debut six years ago, and faces stiff competition from established regulars like Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon.
In February 2026, Barnes officially rejected an approach from Scotland to play in the 2026 World Cup, choosing instead to fight for a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Tuchel will now face calls to reward this decision, and maybe Barnes can return the favour and cement himself in Three Lions folklore with a World Cup-winning goal off the bench.
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