Former England striker Alan Shearer has revealed his ideal Three Lions starting XI capable of winning the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
England enters the tournament heavily regarded as one of the frontrunners for the title, boasting a highly talented pool of players now guided by German tactician Thomas Tuchel.
The tournament has seen mixed performances from the back-to-back UEFA EURO runners-up. After kicking off their campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia, England was subsequently held to a frustrating 0-0 stalemate by a disciplined Ghana side. Despite the draw, a victory against Panama in their final Group L fixture would ensure their qualification into the knockout rounds as group winners.
Amid growing debate surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s tactical choices, the 55-year-old Shearer spoke exclusively to Metro to outline the specific lineup he believes can go all the way.
“The former Newcastle player is confident that the team he has selected possesses the capability to triumph in the 2026 tournament.”
O’Reilly handed defensive role while out-of-favor wingers get the nod
In building his championship-ready team, Shearer opted for a mix of established tournament veterans and fresh talent across all departments. He retained long-standing national No. 1 Jordan Pickford in goal. In front of him, the defense pairs the experience of John Stones and Reece James with Marc Guehi and rising youth prospect Nico O’Reilly, creating a backline that blends proven capability with youthful vigor.
To achieve tactical equilibrium in the center of the pitch, Shearer deployed Elliot Anderson in a strict defensive midfield role. This choice allows Declan Rice to operate as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, while Jude Bellingham is given the freedom to thrive further forward as the primary attacking playmaker.
Shearer’s most intriguing decisions came on the flanks, where he made some highly debated calls. He selected Bukayo Saka on the wing despite the Arsenal man currently working his way back from an injury. On the opposite side, he handed a starting role to Marcus Rashford, who has found himself limited to substitute appearances in both of England’s World Cup fixtures so far. Up front, Shearer naturally selected England’s captain and all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane, who boasts an incredible international record of 81 goals in 116 appearances.
