Thomas Tuchel Names 14 Or 15 Players For England Opener Against Croatia In Florida

England manager Thomas Tuchel said he had "14 or 15" players in mind to start the World Cup opener against Croatia next week, during his first media briefing in the United States.

“During his first media briefing here in the United States, England manager Thomas Tuchel said he had "14 or 15" players in mind to start their World Cup opener against Croatia next week”

BBC

The BBC said the team that started in the 3-0 win over Costa Rica will be close to the side Tuchel picks against Croatia on Wednesday.

BBC

The BBC also framed the No 10 race as a Bellingham or Rogers debate, with Jude Bellingham set to win the race ahead of Morgan Rogers.

In a separate report, Ouest-France said Tuchel will grant his group a day and a half of rest before the match and that the players are forbidden from boarding a plane during that break.

Ouest-France added that the Three Lions players are already in the United States, in Florida, ahead of the June 17, 2026 opener against Croatia.

Ouest-France reported that England will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with the Three Lions players already in the United States in Florida.

The French outlet said Tuchel granted his squad a day and a half of rest during which they were allowed to do almost anything, except boarding a plane.

BBC

Ouest-France quoted Tuchel saying, "We have banned flights because we hope to do a lot during the tournament."

The BBC, meanwhile, described how Tuchel kept selection uncertainty alive by giving clues in the camp about who might start, while noting that the team that started in Orlando against Costa Rica could be the tournament starter.

The BBC also said that if that pattern holds, John Stones and Ezri Konsa will start as England's first-choice central defensive pairing against Croatia.

The BBC said Jude Bellingham is set to win the race ahead of Morgan Rogers to play in the coveted No 10 role for England's opener against Croatia.

“Englandmanager Thomas Tuchel has named his26-man squadfor the2026 World Cup”

Squawka

It also described how the Bellingham or Rogers debate has been among the most fiercely debated heading into the tournament, with Rogers emerging as a more than viable option in the central attacking position.

The BBC added that sources indicating the Costa Rica starters will be close to the Croatia XI would mean Rogers likely settles for a place on the bench.

Ouest-France reported that Tuchel's rest window runs from noon yesterday through Saturday morning before the squad heads to Kansas City, their base camp for the World Cup.

With England's match against Croatia set for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the BBC framed the selection questions—especially at No 10 and in central defense—as central to how Tuchel shapes the group-stage campaign.