The England national team wants to hear only three words when the World Cup ends on July 19: “It’s coming home.” The country that hasn’t won the big one since 1966, but the 2026 squad has as good a chance as any to bring home that little gold trophy. Led by goal-scorer extraordinaire Harry Kane, the Three Lions bring a cohesive team to North America that has more star power at the top and glue guys at the bottom than any England squad in recent memory.
Harry Kane, Striker, Bayern Munich (Germany)
There’s a common belief that English superstars don’t thrive when they leave the shores of the British Isles. And sure, players like Michael Owen, Ashley Cole, Paul Gascoigne, and even going all the way back to Dennis Law, have flopped overseas. However, Harry Kane is not a name to add to that list.
After a personally successful but trophyless run at Tottenham, Kane made his way to Bayern Munich in Germany and took his already lofty game to even greater heights. After more than a decade in North London, Kane put up 280 goals in 435 appearances. Since moving east, the striker has buried 146 goals in 147 games.
Kane is the tip of a wildly talented spear in Munich, and now with the England national team, he will be much of the same. Surrounded by some of the best players in the world with the Three Lions, if Kane can keep up his sky-high form, it will be a major problem for Group L and beyond.
Jude Bellingham, Attacking Midfielder, Real Madrid (Spain)
Setting up shop right behind Harry Kane will be Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s 22-year-old English wunderkind. The problem is, while Bellingham is one of the most talented young players in the world, he’s struggled with injuries, dipped in form, and now faces getting benched by England manager Thomas Tuchel during the World Cup.
Injuries and Real Madrid’s 2025-26 nightmare season led to Bellingham producing just eight goals and five assists in 38 appearances last season. That’s a far cry from his 14/13 in 2024-25 and 23/13 in 2023-24.
Still, when healthy (which he is now), Bellingham can be one of the best players in the world. And he’s had his moments wearing Three Lions on his shirt. In the Euro 2024, his stunning bicycle-kick goal tied the game against Slovakia in the Round of 16.
It’s the ability to produce magic like that, which could see English fans revolt if the team struggles putting a lesser player on the pitch who Tuchel feels fits better or is in better form than a Galacticos like Bellingham.
Bukayo Saka, Winger, Arsenal (England)
The first of an all-important Arsenal duo on this list of England national team players to know ahead of the World Cup, Bukayo Saka is a youngster in search of international redemption.
Saka was just 19 when he played a major role in England’s crushing Euro 2020 (played in 2021) exit. In the tournament final, the teenager took his first-ever senior national team penalty as the fifth taker in the penalty shoot-out against Italy. Italian keeper Gigi Donnarumma saved Saka’s kick, and the rest is history.
The good news is that Saka has shown some real fortitude over the last five years and has bounced back incredibly well. He was a useful player in the 2022 World Cup, the 2024 Euros, and in the qualifying run-up to this World Cup. At Arsenal, he was a key piece of the club’s resurgence and 2025-26 run to the Premier League title and Champions League final.
Declan Rice, Central Midfielder, Arsenal (England)
Saka’s Arsenal teammate, Declan Rice, will patrol the backend of England’s central midfield in this World Cup. Like his fellow Gunner Saka, Rice has been maligned at times on the national team, but his big-time 2025-26 season in London may have changed that narrative.
Once seen as a player who lacked creativity and aggression going forward, Rice’s 11 assists in all competitions showed how far he’s come as a deep-lying playmaker under Mikel Arteta. He is a finalist for PFA Player of the Year, and now, with even more weapons around him, he could be the fulcrum of this Three Lions offense. He’s more comfortable going forward now, too, and a goal or two would really help this team out.
Morgan Rogers, Attacking Midfield/Wing, Aston Villa (England)
The player who made the England national team over much-better-known names like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer is Aston Villa midfielder, Morgan Rogers. Tuchel loves this player, and he may be the one to take Bellingham’s spot if the superstar falters.
Rogers’ 14 goals and 12 assists helped Villa finish fourth in the Premier League this season, and now it looks like he’ll have the opportunity to show what he’s got for England, too. The 23-year-old is garnering interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United this offseason, and a big World Cup showing could force his price tag up over £100 million.
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