Eight World Cup Qualifiers. Eight wins. Zero goals conceded. It’s been a dream campaign for Thomas Tuchel’s England side as they coast into the 2026 World Cup following a 2-0 win away to Albania.
The German has created a sense of calm and devastating efficiency within the squad, building on the foundations laid by caretaker Lee Carsley, whom he officially replaced in January 2025.
With a little under seven months until the tournament kicks off, attention now shifts to who will be a part of his 26-man squad. Much of the squad picks itself, but it’s arguable whether Tuchel has yet been able to select his best team or if he even knows who that entails.
The odds to make the England World Cup 2026 squad are now live, and our goal is to preview where the early value lies among starting roles that are yet to be locked in and fringe players.
To Make England World Cup Squad Odds
The table below shows a handful of players and their odds of making the England squad. We’ve omitted players who are already locked in, such as Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, and instead focused on those who still have some question marks around their inclusion.
| To Make the Squad | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Henderson | 1/2 | BetVictor |
| Noni Madueke | 8/11 | BetVictor |
| Nico O’Reilly | 4/5 | BetVictor |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 5/6 | Ladbrokes |
| Ollie Watkins | 5/6 | Ladbrokes |
| Adam Wharton | 10/11 | Ladbrokes |
| Djed Spence | 10/11 | Ladbrokes |
| Jarrod Bowen | 10/11 | BetVictor |
| Tino Livramento | 5/4 | BetVictor |
| Nick Pope | 5/4 | BetVictor |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | 6/4 | BetVictor |
| Jarell Quansah | 6/4 | BetVictor |
| Trevoh Chalobah | 7/4 | Ladbrokes |
| Myles Lewis-Skelly | 2/1 | BetVictor |
| Jack Grealish | 5/2 | Ladbrokes |
*Odds correct at 10:00 GMT on 17/11/2025. Odds subject to change.
To Make England World Cup Squad Predictions
We’ve taken four picks that offer a ton of value for players to make the England World Cup squad and combined them into an acca. After comparing odds across the best betting sites, we’ve found Ladbrokes to be the best price, paying 12.21/1 for the four picks.
| To Make the Squad | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie Watkins | 5/6 | Ladbrokes |
| Tino Livramento | 11/10 | Ladbrokes |
| Jarrod Bowen | 10/11 | Ladbrokes |
| Nico O’Reilly | 4/5 | Ladbrokes |
| Total Odds | 12.21 |
*Odds correct at 10:00 GMT on 17/11/2025. Odds subject to change.
Bet 1: Ollie Watkins to Make the England Squad
If England head to this World Cup without top scorer Harry Kane, they’re in big trouble. A fundamental lack of competition in the number nine role is an increasing issue for Tuchel as he desperately searches for someone to support England’s record goalscorer in the summer.
A rather underwhelming list of options includes Liam Delap, Ivan Toney, Danny Welbeck and Ollie Watkins. The reality is that they all need to improve to cement a place, but out of the four, it’s Watkins that looks the most likely.
The Aston Villa man has featured in three of Tuchel's five squads, with Ivan Toney the only other member of the group to receive a call-up, albeit in bizarre fashion, playing just three minutes in defeat to Senegal before being sent back to the Saudi Pro League.
Of course, Tuchel could opt to plug any potential gap with someone like Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon, both of whom have played centrally before. But an out-and-out nine is needed, and if Watkins' form improves at Villa, 5/6 will start looking like a big price.
Bet 2: Tino Livramento to Make the England Squad
A cause for some minor concern for Tuchel will be the fullback department. It’s been the area with the most rotation, mainly due to the lack of availability with injuries.
You’d imagine that Reece James would be the favoured starting right back, but in terms of backup, there aren’t a ton of options. However, Newcastle United's Tino Livramento looks an interesting inclusion priced at 11/10.
He’s had injury concerns of his own so far this season, but when fit, he brings valuable versatility for both the left and right sides of the defence. In a 26-man squad, you need players who can cover multiple roles, and with Livramento, you get exactly this.
Assuming he is fit, and on the back of being part of two of Tuchel’s squads already, he’s got a great chance to be on the plane. Couple that with Reece James’ injury record, and there’s a chance that he could be more than just a squad player as well.
Bet 3: Jarrod Bowen to Make the England Squad
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen looks set to make the trip to the USA in the summer. He’s featured in four of the five England squads under Tuchel and offers an immense amount of quality as a backup to Arsenal's Bukayo Saka on the right side of attack.
He played 75 minutes against Albania at the weekend and looked sharp, with Tuchel noting his work rate and qualities off the ball, as much as his attacking threat with the ball.
England are blessed with wide forwards, and Bowen, being a squad player, is a testament to this depth. It would take a monumental drop off in form over the next six months for Bowen not to be picked, and priced at 10/11, he looks a great bet to make it.
Bet 4: Nico O’Reilly to Make the England Squad
Tuchel will have to pick from an exciting trio of youngsters for the left-back role. Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly are all in the mix after being handed debuts under Tuchel’s reign.
A lack of game time for Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal means that Nico O’Reilly has jumped to the top of the pecking order. He’s been ever-present for Guardiola’s Man City side this season, impressing both defensively and offensively.
Playing 90 minutes against both Serbia and Albania in the final World Cup qualifiers suggests that he’s favoured over Djed Spence for the role and is another great value bet at 4/5.
