England’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended with a bronze medal after a 6-4 win over France, but the tournament was a mixed bag for Thomas Tuchel’s squad. While the semi-final run was respectable, defensive frailties and questionable selections drew criticism. Below, we assess every player who featured.
Jordan Pickford earned a 7/10, avoiding major errors but conceding in five of seven matches. Dean Henderson (5) had a rough debut in the third-place play-off, leaking four goals. Reece James (6) impressed when fit but missed three matches due to a hamstring injury. Jarell Quansah (3) endured a tough tournament, sent off against Mexico and subsequently banned for two games.
Djed Spence (7) was a revelation after a poor start, excelling against Argentina. Marc Guehi (7) became England’s most reliable defender after being dropped initially, notably nullifying Erling Haaland. Dan Burn (7) earned cult status with passionate substitute appearances. However, John Stones (6) started slowly, and Ezri Konsa (6) grew into the tournament after a nervy start.
Kobbie Mainoo did not play a single minute, and Jordan Henderson’s inclusion was divisive—he was an unused substitute before breaking his wrist. Harry Kane scored regularly, but time is running out for him to win a major trophy with England. Overall, the team showed promise but defensive issues and tactical decisions left room for improvement.
