GOAL's Boozy England World Cup Squad: 26 Lions Ready to Roar in 2026 – Who's Got the Nod?

Picture this: the 2026 World Cup is creeping up like a sneaky pint at last orders. England's Three Lions are primed to jet off to the USA for friendlies against Costa Rica and New Zealand, then face Croatia on June 17. With Thomas Tuchel under the spotlight to shatter 60 years of heartbreak, our mates at GOAL got their top 10 scribblers – think Chris Burton, Stephen Darwin, and the rest – to pick their dream 26-man squad. We've nicked their consensus for you. Spot on or pie in the sky?

Keepers: Pickford's Throne Stays Solid

No shocks here – Jordan Pickford romped home with every single vote. The Everton No.1 has been England's big-game brick wall, hasn't he? Even when the doubters pile on, he delivers.

Dean Henderson backed him up unanimously too, riding high on his Crystal Palace heroics. Eight out of 10 fancied James Trafford as the young gun from Manchester City, despite barely sniffing the pitch behind Gianluigi Donnarumma. Depth like that? Tuchel's laughing.

Backline: TAA Drama, Versatility Kings

Right-back sparked rows after Tuchel snubbed Trent Alexander-Arnold for March's Uruguay and Japan dos, despite his Real Madrid woes. Seven GOAL lads still reckon his whipped crosses are World Cup gold, pairing him with perfect-10 Reece James from Chelsea. Fitness roulette, mind.

Left side? Smooth sailing. Nico O'Reilly from Man City (Carabao hero, remember?) got the full house, with nine backing Lewis Hall's Newcastle buzz. Both can slot midfield too – tactical flex for Tuchel's chessboard.

Centre-halves had spots galore, but Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) and Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) were locks for all 10 voters. John Stones (six votes) edges it if his dodgy hamstrings behave – Man City's class act has been scarce with just 15 club apps this term. Harry Maguire matches that tally; the grizzled Man Utd skipper's leadership might sneak him in, even if Tuchel's not sold.

Midfield Maestros: Rice Reigns Supreme

Declan Rice? Ten votes, no debate. Arsenal's midfield monster is world-beater material. Teamed with unanimous picks Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, that's game-changing flair right there.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) nearly swept it (nine votes) as Tuchel's pet No.10 in his 4-2-3-1. Nine more plumped for Elliot Anderson (Nott'm Forest) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) – Anderson might nab the deep-lying gig beside Rice.

Kobbie Mainoo scraped seven after his Man Utd revival. Eberechi Eze sneaks in too, adding Palace silk. GOAL's panel tallied this lot from Krishan Davis, Mark Doyle, and crew – proper pub debate fodder.

The road's nearly done post-March trials. Tuchel's got his core, but will he tweak? Frontline's a teaser (GOAL's full deets hint at fireworks), yet this back-to-midfield spine screams contender. Fancy a shock cut? Maguire for youth? Spill in the comments, lads. England's hour beckons – let's end the wait.