How England could line up at the 2026 World Cup if Pep Guardiola is manager

Pep Guardiola has been linked with taking over as England manager after Euro 2024.

Current England boss Gareth Southgate signed a new contract after the 2022 World Cup and will be leading the Three Lions at the Euros next summer.

On Monday night, it was reported that England would love to appoint Manchester City boss Guardiola as Southgate’s successor.

According to the Daily Mail, Southgate is set to quit England after the tournament next summer, and with Guardiola’s City contract set to expire in 2025, the Football Association would love to have the Spaniard in charge of the team.

We have decided to predict England’s starting XI in the 2026 World Cup if Guardiola is the manager.

Goalkeeper - Aaron Ramsdale

Guardiola will go for Ramsdale as he is more comfortable on the ball than the likes of Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope.

In addition, Ramsdale has been performing better while playing at a higher level.

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Defence - Reece James, John Stones, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell

Three of the back four are currently playing for Chelsea, James and Chilwell are the leading candidates to start in the full-back positions.

Colwill has had an impressive start and will only improve, Stones also gets in as he is one of Guardiola’s favourites at City.

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Midfield - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham

This midfield trio could potentially be the best in the world. Alexander-Arnold has all the attributes to dominate a match under the guidance of Guardiola.

Whilst Rice and Bellingham will provide the perfect balance in the middle of the park.

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Attack - Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Phil Foden

Safe to say Saka and Foden will be the first names on the teamsheet as they are England’s standout stars.

Kane will be 33 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around but will still be more than capable of scoring the goals to fire England to glory.

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