Sports

England's Midfield Options for the 2026 World Cup-Ranked

By Barnaby Lane Sports Illustrated

Updated May 23, 2026 8:28 AM

Few international teams can match England when it comes to strength in depth.

From front to back, the Three Lions are blessed with a ludicrous amount of different options. It's almost too much choice, and Thomas Tuchel has discovered that the hard way after receiving backlash for some of his choices when naming England's 2026 World Cup squad.

Midfield is one of the areas where England is truly spoiled for choice. Whether it's a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box engine, a deep-lying playmaker, or a creative No.10, the talent pool is overflowing.

Here's Sports Illustrated's ranking of the England midfielders heading to the World Cup.

Notable World Cup Omissions

Cole Palmer is a shock absentee. | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Tuchel caused quite the stir with his World Cup squad announcement and some high-profile midfielders have proven surprise omissions.

Cole Palmer is the absentee most discussed. The Chelsea playmaker once looked an absolute guarantee to feature in North America, but an injury-hit start to the 2025–26 campaign affected his flow. He never fully recovered amid the chaos at Stamford Bridge and has been brutally axed by ex-Blues boss Tuchel.

Palmer is not the only star attacking midfielder who failed to make the cut, Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White omitted despite a remarkable goalscoring campaign. The 26-year-old appeared to have hit form at the perfect time, but Tuchel had other ideas. Manchester City's Phil Foden is another high profile absentee.

Deeper in the midfield, the absence of Adam Wharton shocked many. The classy Crystal Palace playmaker has enjoyed another fine season, yet will have to watch the Three Lions from his couch this summer. Similarly impressive campaigns for Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Everton's James Garner have gone unrewarded.

Conor Gallagher and Curtis Jones have made past squads, but their performances have been nowhere near convincing enough to be involved. James Maddison never stood a chance having missed almost the entirety of the term through injury.

7. Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson's inclusion has caused controversy. | Eddie Keogh/The FA/The FA/Getty Images

Jordan Henderson's inclusion in Tuchel's World Cup squad has drawn widespread ire as the 35-year-old midfielder not even a guaranteed starter for Brentford these days.

There's no doubt that Henderson has been selected as a role model for a young roster, offering the off-field character and leadership qualities that are significant at a major tournament.

Henderson is unlikely to see too much game time, but he's a valuable presence in the dressing room. Whether that's enough to make the squad is debatable.

6. Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo has been rejuvenated under Michael Carrick. | Michael Regan/The FA/Getty Images

A technically proficient midfielder and progressive ball-carrier-perhaps one of England's finest in that regard-Kobbie Mainoo is agile, able to twist and turn away from pressure and his direct opponent, with his relatively small frame letting him thread through tight spaces and navigate crowded areas with ease.

Such was his talent that he was fast-tracked into the England squad for Euro 2024 and made a huge impression as a regular starter in midfield, helping the Three Lions reach the final.

Ruben Amorim's misuse of the Manchester United youngster threatened his place at the tournament, but his reinvigoration under Michael Carrick ensured he re-entered Tuchel's thoughts. A valuable addition for the Three Lions.

5. Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze has a bright England future ahead of him. | IMAGO/Pressinphoto IMAGO/Pressinphoto

Though usually deployed on the left wing for England to date, Eberechi Eze is by trade an attacking midfielder-and a very talented one at that.

Arsenal's mega-money star glides past opponents as if they aren't there, finds pockets of space where none seem to exist, and threads passes invisible to the naked eye. He's enigmatic, inventive, and a smooth operator-a genuine joy to watch.

The 27-year-old supplied some crucial goals for the Gunners en route to the Premier League title and his ability to conjure an individual moment of magic at the perfect juncture makes him a precious asset.

Whether he can break into England's starting XI remains to be seen.

4. Morgan Rogers

Tuchel loves Morgan Rogers. | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers stands out as a unique mix of power and attacking instinct, a profile perhaps rivaled only by Jude Bellingham. He's not your typical nimble, quick-footed playmaker-he's a force of nature in midfield.

Where most midfielders navigate with finesse, Rogers drives straight through the heart of the opposition. Defenders collide with him as he barrels forward, combining raw strength, speed, and determination-an attacking midfielder with the mindset and presence of a forward.

Tuchel has put his faith in Rogers regularly since taking charge and his ability to play in wide areas as well as through the center offers him an easier route into the XI this summer.

3. Elliot Anderson

Elliot Anderson was exceptional in 2025–26. | Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images

Elliot Anderson was named Player of the Match in each of his first two England appearances-against Andorra and Serbia-a clear indication of just how talented he is and how ready he looks to make his mark on the international stage.

More importantly, though, Anderson is exactly the kind of midfielder England need. While players like Eze, Rogers and Bellingham thrive going forward, and the likes of Declan Rice and Henderson focus on shielding the back line, Anderson bridges the gap between the two.

Operating between the lines, he's the player who can turn defence into attack, drive the team forward, and create the platform for England's attacking stars to shine-making things happen rather than just keeping the ball moving sideways.

2. Declan Rice

Declan Rice is a staple in midfield. | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Declan Rice seems to be the only central midfielder who rarely divides opinion in an England shirt-though a few might argue he doesn't quite match the technical brilliance of some of Europe's top midfielders.

Nonetheless, Rice is England's most reliable midfielder and was a key figure under the previous regime.

He first made his mark while at West Ham United, and his hold on an England midfield spot has only strengthened since his move to Arsenal. Versatile at the international level, Rice is equally comfortable as a No. 6 or No. 8, making him a guaranteed starter for the Three Lions.

An incredible campaign with the Gunners means he enters the World Cup in confident mood.

1. Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is a must-play for England. | Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images

Not only is Bellingham England's best attacking midfielder, he's undisputedly their best central midfielder too, possessing all the tools to do, well, absolutely everything.

England's challenge now is to raise their standards for a player who, whether playing as a No. 10 or deeper, can prove the difference-maker on the grandest stages.

Debate will continue to rage over the Real Madrid man's best role and how to accommodate other talents around him, but Bellingham simply has to start every single competitive game when fit. It's that simple.