Bellingham vs Rogers, Saka's Fitness, and the Left Wing Puzzle: Tuchel's Biggest Selection Calls Before Croatia
England's World Cup warm-ups are done. Now Thomas Tuchel faces his toughest decisions yet as the Croatia opener looms.
Tuchel Faces His Biggest England Decisions After World Cup Warm-Ups
With England's pre-World Cup friendlies now behind them, head coach Thomas Tuchel must turn his full attention to the selection choices that will define his team's tournament opener against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
The final warm-up fixture against Costa Rica — briefly held up by a fierce storm battering Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium — ultimately delivered exactly what Tuchel needed: a competitive, physically demanding run-out packed with useful information. It was a sharp departure from the opening friendly against New Zealand in Tampa, a pedestrian 1-0 victory that left Tuchel visibly frustrated by his side's lack of urgency and intensity.
When pressed by BBC Radio 5 Live on whether the XI that impressed against Costa Rica would carry over to the Croatia game, Tuchel kept his cards firmly close to his chest. "Maybe," he replied, before adding: "We will not give any decisions away. My thoughts at the moment are not for Croatia — they're for here today. It was a very strong line-up, but it was a very strong bench as well."
So what are the key questions Tuchel must now answer?
The Number 10 Debate: Does Bellingham Finally Get the Nod?
No selection question has generated more discussion around England's squad than the battle between Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for the number 10 role.
Throughout recent months, Tuchel has appeared content to let the competition between the two close friends simmer, refusing to commit publicly to either player. Rogers has largely held the starting position, with Tuchel maintaining faith in the 23-year-old while Bellingham navigated a turbulent season at the Santiago Bernabeu — disrupted by both shoulder and hamstring injuries.
Against New Zealand, Rogers started before Bellingham entered for the second half and assumed the captaincy. However, both players are firmly within the 14 or 15 names Tuchel considers his core starters, and the German coach must now make a definitive call.
If Rogers is not deployed out wide against Croatia, only one of the pair will feature in that central role — and on the strength of his Costa Rica showing, Bellingham made an overwhelming case for himself.
The Real Madrid midfielder was electric throughout. He threaded a brilliant pass through to Noni Madueke in the first half — a chance unfortunately squandered when Madueke struck the post after rounding keeper Patrick Sequeira. Bellingham then produced a moment of genuine brilliance in the build-up to England's second goal, weaving past multiple Costa Rica defenders before teeing up Eberechi Eze, whose shot drew a handball. Anthony Gordon converted the resulting penalty.
Rogers showed encouraging signs himself when introduced from the bench, but the night undeniably belonged to Bellingham. Leaving him out of the starting XI for Croatia would now be a significant call.
Wide Right: Will Saka Be Fit to Start?
On the right flank, the answer is relatively straightforward — assuming fitness allows. Bukayo Saka remains Thomas Tuchel's first choice in that position, though a persistent Achilles tendon issue has prompted the coaching staff to carefully manage his workload during the warm-up games.
In Saka's absence, Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke took the right-sided berth against Costa Rica and delivered a mixed display — showing flashes of quality but ultimately failing to take his biggest opportunity of the evening. Should Saka be passed fit ahead of the Croatia match, he is expected to reclaim his starting spot.
The Left Wing Headache: Gordon or Rashford?
Perhaps the most open selection debate of all surrounds England's left flank, where Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford are locked in a genuine battle for the starting role.
Gordon, who has recently completed a move to Barcelona from Newcastle United, arrived at the tournament having spent the closing weeks of the club season sidelined at St. James' Park — a period of inactivity that appeared to blunt his sharpness. His substitute appearance against New Zealand did little to help his cause.
However, Gordon emphatically announced himself in the Costa Rica friendly. He tormented defender Shawn Johnson with blistering changes of pace, played a direct role in setting up Declan Rice's opener, and coolly slotted home England's second goal from the penalty spot. It was the kind of performance that forces a manager's hand.
Rashford, meanwhile — whose long-term future at Barcelona remains unclear following his loan spell from Manchester United — was one of England's most dangerous players against New Zealand, looking sharp and full of confidence.
Both wide forwards have made compelling arguments across these two friendlies, and Tuchel has a genuine selection headache to resolve before kick-off in Dallas.
There is also the theoretical option of shifting Rogers out to the left to accommodate both him and Bellingham — though in all likelihood, the wide left decision will come down to Gordon versus Rashford.
Whichever way Tuchel decides, England head into the Croatia clash with options, competition, and — after that Costa Rica performance — genuine cause for optimism.
