Euro 2026: How England Should Lineup

September 14, 2026

This article was last updated by on June 6, 2026

England are one of the world’s most respected and famous footballing nation.

Whether it be in terms of producing generational talents, or through highly intense league action.

They are regarded as one of the top five best footballing country in the world.

In terms of the Euros, England have won the competition twice in their history and are looking to return back to the top.

As of now, the people of England are still waiting for a major European trophy to come home.

Can they win it this year? Well, looking at the squad they have, they surely can accomplish that.

has been in charge of the national side since the November of 2016. 

Current England Coach: Gareth Southgate

However, he is yet to receive his major winner’s medal. He has helped the national side to reach the Euros and a fourth-place finish in the 2018 World Cup.

England currently has a boatload of talented players, both youngsters as well those with experience.

The English national side is currently ranked 4th in the FIFA World Rankings. 

They are in group D of the Euros, which feature countries like Croatia, Scotland, and the Czech Republic.

Southgate believes that with his current selection of 26 players, he can lead his side to victory at the Euros.

England has already played their first match at the Euros 2026 against Croatia and came out with a 1-0 victory.

However, were the players that played in that victory the best possible choice that Gareth could’ve made? Or are there better players? 

e is known to make some unexpected call-ups to the national camp and chooses random players for random positions.

Looking at the current 26-man squad, we believe we have the perfect lineup for England to progress all the way to the final and maybe even win it if the tactics are right.

Goalkeepers

This is one of the positions where there is not too much competition. was noted to be given the number 1 spot for the team.

Dean Henderson is ruled out due to injury.

However, he recently suffered an injury and had to be replaced by . 

So, as a result, , who has been out of form, gets the go-ahead to be the main man in between the sticks.

England’s Number 1 GK: Jordan Pickford

Along with Jordan, also gets the chance to represent his national side. 

New Young England Goalkeeper: Sam Johnstone

Both Aaron and Sam don’t have a lot of experience at the international level and have been in a mixed set of forms for their club.

Therefore, will be the number 1 goalkeeper for the Euros. 

Defenders

There aren’t that many experienced defenders that can represent England at the international level. 

However, has picked five center-backs and five wing-backs/full-backs for the tournament.

There is rarely a manager who picks this many fullbacks for the national side.

, despite not being 100% fit, is a key member of the defense going further in the tournament.

England’s First Choice Centre Back: Harry Maguire

To partner up with Harry, players like , , , and are present.

In terms of the perfect centre-back duo, Harry Maguire and John Stones are the perfect candidates.

First Choice centre backs: Maguire and Stones

Stones has revived his career this season as he is the number 1 choice for Manchester City alongside Ruben Dias, and as for Maguire, he is the captain of Manchester United.

As for the fullbacks, sometimes plays an out-an-out right back as a left back or vice versa.

So for the two fullbacks, as right back and as left back is the right choice.

Starting RB: Kyle Walker

Starting LB: Ben Chilwell

Therefore, the back four will be that of Walker, Stones, Maguire, and Chilwell, with Pickford between the sticks.

Midfielders

England currently has a plethora of young and talented attackers to lead the front line at the Euros. 

Whether it be midfielders, wingers, or even strikers, they possess a lot of talents, especially young up-and-comers.

Southgate has given the green light for , , , in the midfield role.

Also, he has chosen 17-year-old as a part of his squad. If Jude scores, he will become the youngest player for England to score at the Euros.

17 year old Jude Bellingham

Looking at the depth, the partnership of Declan Rice and Mason Mount will be a good fit for the starting XI. 

Friends since childhood, now teammates internationally: Mount and Rice

However, if we go for experience, Jordan Henderson might start, but he hasn’t had a good run of form .

And as for others, they don’t have that much of an experience to slot right into the starting eleven.

Therefore, Declan Rice and Mason Mount will be the perfect partnership duo in the heart of the midfield.

Attackers

England probably have the most jampacked squad with huge number of talents in this position.

From the wings, to the attacking midfield role along with the striker, each area is covered with immense talents.

, , , , these players can play both sides of the wings. 

As for Rashford and Sterling, they both can play as a striker as well.

as well as Mason Mount, are poised for the number 10 role, i.e., the CAM role.

Generational Talent: Phil Foden

Since Mount will partner up with Rice in the heart, Foden is the perfect player for that position.

For the out-and-out number 9, and lead the front line. 

The left-wing position is one of the hardest to fill, as every attacker can play in that part of the field.

So, choosing the best player among the talents present will be hard. But looking at the form in the club level, Jack Grealish will be the perfect fit.

Jack Grealish

And for the right wing, both Sancho and Rashford are the players. Both are in the best form, and either will be a good fit.

The striker role is for Harry Kane. He is the captain of the squad and is the best man to lead the line for England.

England’s best striker and captain: Harry Kane

Lineup For The Future

The best possible lineup for England for their success in the Euros will totally depend on and his tactics.

For this side, the formation will be a 4-2-3-1 with 2 fullbacks that will turn into wing backs and 1 holding midfielder with 1 box-to-box midfielder.

1 CAM with 2 wingers and 1 attacker to lead the front line.

But we believe that if Southgate applies the right tactics with this formation and the players, they will reach the finals.

                                                       *Pickford

  *Walker                     *Stones                *Maguire                        *Chilwell 

                                                *Mount         *Rice

 *Sancho/Rashford                                 *Foden                             *Grealish

                                                         *Kane

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Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta is a dynamic writer and sports enthusiast, whose passion for both realms is reflected in his work. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Aaditya brings a unique perspective to his writing, captivating readers with his engaging content.

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