BBC Sport pundits pick England World Cup starting XI
Short overview
BBC Sport pundits Micah Richards, Joe Hart, and others have selected their preferred England starting XI for the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17. Key debates include the center-back pairing and whether Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers should start.
With England's World Cup opener against Croatia approaching on 17 June (21:00 BST) in Dallas, BBC Sport pundits have revealed their preferred starting XIs for Thomas Tuchel's side. The selections highlight key debates over defensive partnerships and the number 10 role.
Goalkeeper and Defense
All pundits agree on Jordan Pickford as the starting goalkeeper. In defense, Micah Richards opts for Reece James at right-back if fully fit, while Joe Hart and others consider alternatives. The center-back pairing is a point of contention: Richards selects John Stones alongside Marc Guehi, praising Stones' ability to dictate play. However, Paul Robinson prefers Ezri Konsa and Guehi, noting Stones' likely inclusion but favoring Konsa's reliability. At left-back, Richards chooses Nico O'Reilly over Djed Spence, who started the friendly against New Zealand.
Midfield and Attack
In midfield, Richards picks Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice, with Anderson praised for his ability to break up play and start attacks. Jude Bellingham is selected as the number 10 ahead of Morgan Rogers, with Richards calling him a "big game player" and "genuine superstar." Joe Hart emphasizes squad balance, noting that many positions could change due to squad depth. Up front, Richards chooses Marcus Rashford over Anthony Gordon, with Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane completing the attack.
Pundit Perspectives
Joe Hart expressed reluctance in picking a single XI, stating, "I have picked this XI as I think it is the most well-balanced team to set the tournament up. By no way, shape or form do I think that this squad will play every game." Paul Robinson highlighted Bellingham's form in warm-up games, saying, "I think Jude Bellingham has shown in the past two warm-up games why he should start for England." The pundits' selections reflect the depth of the squad, with many positions open to debate.
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