NewsBeat
England confirm World Cup 2026 squad numbers in hint to Thomas Tuchel starting XI
Instead, John Stones has been named in the squad – despite limited game time for Manchester City – and, if the squad numbers are anything to go by, he will make up Tuchel’s first-choice central defensive pairing with Marc Guehi.
Partnership: Marc Guehi and John Stones
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Elsewhere, while Ezri Konsa has been upgraded to No2, it is likely that Chelsea defender Reece James will start the tournament as England first-choice right-back despite taking his favoured no24 shirt number.
Newcomers, Nico O’Reilly and Elliot Anderson have taken No3 and No8 respectively, leading to plenty of speculation online that they will be in Tuchel’s preferred starting XI.
Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordan, Ollie Watkins and Eberechi Eze have all retained the same squad numbers from Euro 2024.
The Three Lions will begin preparations for the summer tournament with a friendly against New Zealand on Saturday before facing Costa Rica next Wednesday.
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