It will come as no surprise that England have booked their place at next summer’s World Cup in North America.
Apart from a few rare setbacks in the 1970s and again at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, qualifying for the tournament was often a foregone conclusion for the Three Lions.
However, the way England progressed under new boss Thomas Tuchel was particularly impressive, winning all eight games, scoring 22 goals and conceding none.
There is new hope and optimism since the former Chelsea manager replaced Gareth Southgate and, after a pair of near misses in back-to-back European Championships, could this now be the moment England finally end their countless years of pain?
What is particularly interesting about Tuchel’s approach is that he is not afraid to drop players based on reputation – something that has rarely been seen by English managers in recent years.
As talk grows about the Three Lions’ prospects, fans and pundits alike will be watching Betdaqthe popular betting exchange, for odds on how far this exciting team can go.
Here are four players that could be crucial in North America.
Harry Kane
While Tuchel has experimented with different parts of the squad, Harry Kane has remained the one constant.
The Three Lions captain had another excellent qualifying season, scoring nine goals in eight games. With England arguably without a truly elite back-up option, Kane’s presence will be imperative next summer.
Tuchel will pray that the 32-year-old Bayern Munich forward stays fit; an untimely injury could seriously damage England’s hopes of finally lifting the trophy.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford, a player many did not expect to feature in the World Cup this time last year, was overlooked for Euro 2024 and the Nations League after a difficult spell at Manchester United.
But the 28-year-old has rediscovered his spark at Barcelona and is firmly back in Tuchel’s plans.
Rashford made a noticeable impact from the bench in the recent 2-0 win over Albania, setting up Kane’s second goal late on. If he continues this form, he will be pushing hard to start on the left wing in North America.
Jordan Henderson
Once a regular in England, Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia – and later his troubles at Ajax – saw him fall out of favor and miss the 2024 European Championship.
At his age, many assumed that his international career had reached its natural end. Yet Henderson was a surprise standout under Tuchel during the qualifying campaign.
Cleverly used as a late-game option to help England see matches, his experience and composure could prove invaluable at a major tournament. Add to that his influence in the locker room and Henderson can still play an important role.
Ree James
It is a great shame that Reece James has only collected 22 caps for England, with injuries robbing him of several opportunities, including a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
This season, however, the Chelsea full-back has had a much smoother run, appearing in all of the Blues’ Premier League games at the time of writing.
If his fitness continues, James has every chance of securing the starting right-back position next summer. His defensive reliability, combined with his dynamism going forward, could give England a crucial edge on the biggest stage.
With a renewed selection, a new tactical approach under Tuchel and important players emerging at the right time, expectations are increasing again. England have the talent – ​​now it’s about delivering when it matters most.
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