England's World Cup 2026 squad odds and analysis: Fresh opportunities arise ahead of Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions bow

Thomas Tuchel is preparing to take charge of his first match as England manager against Albania at Wembley on Friday and that means new opportunities have arisen for players to make the Three Lions’ World Cup squad for 2026.

With Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ollie Watkins, John Stones, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer among those unavailable for Tuchel’s debut in the dugout, there will be plenty hoping to impress in the opening World Cup qualifier and stake their claim to be in the German’s plans.

There are sure to be a number of mainstays in Tuchel’s team and Jordan Pickford, Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are the four members at 1-14 or shorter with bet365 to be on the plane to North America, which looks a formality.

Saka (1-8), Phil Foden (1-7), Palmer (1-7) and Alexander-Arnold (2-5) should be involved barring injuries, but there is plenty up for grabs.

Tuchel has handed first England call-ups to Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who is 11-4 to make the squad, plus Arsenal ace Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old has the potential to make the left-back berth his own and is evens to be involved next summer.

To make England's World Cup squad for 2026

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Morgan Gibbs-White has been called up as a replacement for the injured Palmer and the Nottingham Forest maverick is 11-8 to force his way into Tuchel’s plans, with the rejuvenated Marcus Rashford 6-5 following his return to the set-up.

Jordan Henderson was another recalled and is 5-2 to go to a fourth World Cup while Ivan Toney’s omission suggests it could be a battle between Watkins and Dominic Solanke, both 8-13, to be Kane’s back-up.

Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal teammate Ethan Nwaneri was omitted from this camp but the impressive 17-year-old should soon earn his chance if his Premier League performances continue and he is 7-4 to get himself into the reckoning.

The centre-back area is where the most confusion lingers, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi the shortest price to be selected at 1-3 with bet365.

The injury-ravaged Stones is 4-7 to make the squad, with Levi Colwill of Chelsea and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa both favoured by the layers at 1-2. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is the only other odds-on option at 8-11.

Kyle Walker, in Tuchel’s squad despite joining Serie A side Milan, is 5-2 to be included, with Arsenal’s Ben White 6-4 after the German confirmed he would be in contention despite previous exile.

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