It's crunch time for Gareth Southgate and his England squad as they dissect the highs and lows of their 2026 World Cup campaign. A third-placed finish might not be the worst outcome, but it's clear some players have done themselves no favours – while others have written their names into the history books.
In goal, Jordan Pickford has shown why he's England's most experienced World Cup finals goalkeeper – making crucial saves at key moments. His stop against Nicolas González in the semi-final was a highlight-reel moment that still has fans buzzing. But what about his positioning for Enzo Fernández’s equaliser against Argentina? That's a question mark that's been raised, and one he'll need to answer if England are to go all the way next time.
At the back, Marc Guéhi has emerged as England's Mr Consistent – expertly nullifying Erling Haaland in one of the tournament's standout individual performances. Meanwhile, Djed Spence has won over fans with his tenacious tackling and spirited displays that left opponents scrambling. John Stones showed signs of improvement after a shaky start, but it was clear he needed more match fitness under his belt.
The midfield was where England's stars truly shone brightest – Jude Bellingham leading the charge with his customary energy and commitment. He navigated some tricky waters with manager Thomas Tuchel, but his quality and dedication never wavered. Elliot Anderson also impressed, quickly adapting to a new Manchester City environment despite some initial doubts about his transfer. Declan Rice's season was hampered by niggling injuries that clearly affected his form – a timely reminder of the risks of rushing back from those kinds of knocks.
Up front, Bukayo Saka showed the ultimate spirit of a true England hero: contributing three goals and three assists while battling an Achilles injury. His absence in key games raised eyebrows among fans who had come to rely on his attacking nous. Reece James was sorely missed when he limped out against Argentina – his early departure a costly blow for Southgate's side.
Other players who made waves included Morgan Rogers, who seized every opportunity with both hands and proved himself capable of adapting to unfamiliar roles. Dan Burn might have struggled in certain games, but his two substitute appearances were marked by some thunderous clearing headers that left opponents stunned. And Jordan Henderson etched his name into the record books when he became only the seventh player to appear in seven major international tournaments – though it was a bittersweet moment for him given his limited time on the pitch.
Jarell Quansah's tournament was a mixed bag, marked by a red card against Mexico and some questionable positioning at times. Still, he showed enough promise to suggest that Southgate might be onto something with his right-back selection.