England and France World Cup squads announced how do they compare?

England and France have named three-goalkeeper squads for the 2026 World Cup. Jordan Pickford is set to start for England, while Mike Maignan is likely to be France’s goalkeeper. England’s defensive options include Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Nico O’Reilly, while France could select Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Theo Hernandez. Kounde, Saliba, and Upamecano have won league titles this season. England’s midfield could feature Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham, with France using Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Michael Olise. England’s attack could include Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Harry Kane, while France may choose Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Kylian Mbappe, with Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola available as substitutes.

"England and France - two European nations expected to do well at the 2026 World Cup - have now named their squads for this summer's tournament. Both countries have picked three goalkeepers, with Jordan Pickford set to take the gloves for England, while Mike Maignan is likely to be between the posts for France. Pickford has 82 international caps to Maignan's 38, but it is the Frenchman who has more European pedigree having played in the Champions League for AC Milan."

"In defence, Thomas Tuchel looks like to call upon Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly, while Didier Deschamps could plump for Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernandez. Kounde, Saliba and Upamecano have all won league titles this season, giving France the clear edge on paper in this area."

"Moving into midfield, England could go with Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, with France potentially picking Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery and Michael Olise. These are both very strong trios, although it will be a big step up for Elliot Anderson who has never played in a major international tournament before."

"England could turn to Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane in attack, with France likely to pick Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe. These are phenomenal attacks, but France may have the edge in depth due to being able to bring Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola off the bench."

Read at www.independent.co.uk