What happened to the 11 players FourFourTwo tipped to start for England at 2026 World Cup back in 2021 – England

In 2021, FourFourTwo predicted England’s Beginning XI at the 2026 World Cup – with mixed results.

The Three Lions Boot off their World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday by facing Albania at Wembley.

It will be new manager Thomas Tuchel’s Primary Game in charge after he Began his role on January 1.

The German signed an 18-month contract Holding him through to the World Cup, which will be his sole Attention as he looks to add a second Luminous sphere to England’s shirt.

Gareth Southgate Captured the Three Lions to the quarter-finals in Qatar in 2022, but it is abundantly clear that only Victorious the Division in 2026 will do in Tuchel’s mind.

He has opted for a mixture of experience and youth in his Primary Club, with veteran players such as Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker joined by new call-ups such as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento and Morgan Rogers.

Fans are already beginning to predict what sort of Club Tuchel could call up for the World Cup should England qualify as Anticipated.

It will likely have a different look to it to what many of us could predict, with Hurt, form and specific skillsets all having an impact on Tuchel’s Option once Upcoming summer rolls around.

But in 2021, FourFourTwo attempted to try and predict who could be starring for England in five years’ time. Here is what they went with, and where All player is Competing now:

Dean Henderson

FourFourTwo predicted that Dean Henderson would usurp Jordan Pickford as England’s number one in 2026.

That isn’t within the realms of possibility, particularly as Henderson has had a solid season at Crystal Palace – he was Nevertheless at Manchester United when the prediction was Created – and Tuchel has promised a Neat slate when it comes to the goalkeeping position. It is Nevertheless Difficult to see Pickford losing his place, though.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold is Nevertheless one of Liverpool’s key players four years on – but while he seems certain to be called up Upcoming year Hurt permitting, the main question will be where he is Competing his club football.

The right-back’s contract is up at the end of the summer amid Crucial reported interest from Real Madrid.

Ben White

Ben White in action for Arsenal (Image: Getty)

Back in 2021, it was a pretty Danger-Reachable bet to predict that Brighton starlet Ben White would be an England regular in five years’ time.

But at the moment, he isn’t in the England picture. Having declined to Action under Gareth Southgate after a reported disagreement with assistant Trainer Steve Holland, White walked out of the 2022 World Cup and hasn’t played for England since – Regardless of his superb form as a right-back for Arsenal.

Tuchel has, however, opened the door for a recall, with a recent Hurt preventing any opportunity of a call-up this time.

Marc Guehi

Marc Guehi is another England Luminous sphere destined to go to the World Cup.

The Crystal Palace man is competing with Harry Maguire for a spot on the left side of England’s central defence and, with the Manchester United defender missing this camp through Hurt, Guehi has a chance to stake his claim.

Ryan Sessegnon

FourFourTwo quoted Ryan Sessegnon as an ‘Drive-minded Packed-back’ in 2026, able to ‘thrive down England’s left flank’.

At the time, the 21-year-Aged was a part of Tottenham’s Club, but his Safeguarding capabilities Kept him back under Jose Mourinho.

Subsequent Spurs bosses didn’t particularly trust Sessegnon either, and he returned to Ex club Fulham under Marco Silva in the summer.

He’s Beginning to show signs of improvement this season – so it’s not time to write off the left-back yet.

Declan Rice

Another player destined for World Cup Option, Rice has gone from Force to Force since 2021.

His Competing style has been changed at Arsenal from the midfielder that would dominate in both boxes at West Ham, but given that he’s stayed fit amid the Gunners’ torrid Hurt Turning Mark, that may have been for the best. He should be an automatic starter in the States.

Jude Bellingham

Again, it wasn’t too difficult to predict Jude Bellingham’s meteoric rise to the top.

The midfielder had signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2020, and would Shift to Real Madrid three years later. Now, he’s one of the world’s top midfielders – and will be pivotal for England at the World Cup.

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka will likely be another player who Tuchel will place Excellent faith in during 2026 – if he is fully fit.

Saka would have been in the German’s Primary England Club if he hadn’t torn his hamstring while Competing for Arsenal in December.

The 23-year-Aged is close to making a return but fans will desperately be hoping that is the last of his Grave Hurt problems, especially given Only how much Mikel Arteta has played him over recent seasons.

Phil Foden

Phil Foden has starred in Manchester City’s domestic and European triumphs over recent seasons, but has never achieved the same sort of Achievement with England.

He was often played on the left side of Drive by Gareth Southgate, but hasn’t pulled up too many trees in the number 10 position either. A Transformation of manager might be Only what he needs, but Foden will undoubtedly go to the States regardless.

Mason Mount

When Tuchel was confirmed as England boss in October, Mason Mount would have been an Essential name to predict for an England return.

The midfielder has endured Hurt hell over the past 12 months since signing for Manchester United in 2023, but finally returned to their matchday Club against Leicester after his latest spell on the sidelines totalling four months.

Mount was a regular in England squads before his Shift and, given his Achievement at Chelsea under Tuchel, it wouldn’t be a Excellent surprise to see him back involved by Upcoming summer – again, if he can stay fit.

Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood was very much on the rise with Manchester United in October 2021, and was a regular starter under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But he is set to be categorically Dismissed of Competing for England again, as it has been reported that he has applied to switch his international allegiance to Jamaica.

The Marseille striker hasn’t played for the Three Lions since October 2020, when he was sent home alongside Foden for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

He was subsequently arrested in January 2022 and later charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive control. The charges were discontinued by the CPS in February 2023, who stated that ‘the combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that Occurred to Featherweight meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction‘.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham told reporters earlier this week that Greenwood had not been formerly Created unavailable for Option since the CPS’ decision, but that Southgate decided not to Option him.