England's 2026 World Cup Squad: Five Players to Watch and How to Train Like Them

Thomas Tuchel has his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the debate has already begun. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are both absent - two notable omissions from a squad that still has serious attacking quality. Here are five players who could define England's summer.

Harry Kane - The Captain and Record Breaker

Kane travels to his third major tournament as England's all-time leading scorer and captain. His club form at Bayern Munich has been extraordinary - 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances last season with a whopping 61 in 51 games in all competitions. At 32, he is not the most mobile striker in European football, but in the box he remains one of the most clinical. 

The drill: most goals are scored with two touches or fewer from inside the box, so finishing practice prioritises accuracy over power. Mark a spot 12 yards out and aim for the same corner ten times before switching. Low-placed finishes only. Then clip targets to the corners of a QUICKPLAY KICKSTER or Q-FOLD goal to give each attempt a specific mark to hit.

Jude Bellingham - The Box-to-Box Threat

Bellingham arrives as one of the best midfielders in Europe. At Real Madrid he scores from deep, drives through lines under pressure, and produces moments of quality when games seem stuck. His goals come from momentum rather than set positions - arriving late, striking first time, before defenders have worked out he was even making the run.

The drill: late run sessions use a trigger-based structure - the run starts only when the ball reaches the wide player. Start 20 yards out, wait for service from the side, then burst diagonally into the space between the six-yard box and penalty spot and finish first time. A QUICKPLAY rebounder keeps service consistent so the focus stays on timing rather than chasing a wayward ball.

Bukayo Saka - The Most Consistent Attacker

Consistent club form at Arsenal for the better part of five years has made Saka arguably the most reliable attacker in the squad. He takes defenders on, cuts inside, and backs himself in tight situations. He rarely takes an extra touch when the angle is there - that directness is what makes him so hard to defend against.

The drill: inside forwards work on two finishes - the far-post strike bending away from the goalkeeper, and the disguised reverse effort back across goal. Mark a channel with cones, drive to the edge of the area, cut inside with the first touch and shoot early toward the far post. Release the shot before composing yourself - the less time the goalkeeper has to set, the better. A QUICKPLAY goal at the end of the channel gives you a target.

Declan Rice - The Engine

Rice is the defensive spine of everything England do under Tuchel. Three seasons at Arsenal have made him one of the best midfielders in the Premier League - he wins the ball, moves it quickly, and covers the ground in behind the attack that allows others to push forward. England look fundamentally different without him.

The drill: pressing systems rely on the press-and-distribute cycle - winning the ball and immediately switching it before the opposition can reorganise. Stand five yards from a QUICKPLAY rebounder, play a sharp pass into it, control the return in one touch, and redirect it to a new position. Keep going for 30 seconds at match pace.

Marcus Rashford - The Wildcard

Rashford spent the season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, with his form inconsistent and his future unresolved. But his pace and ability to carry the ball at defenders at full speed make him a genuine weapon when he is on it. In knockout football, that kind of direct threat off the bench can change a game in minutes.

The drill: running with the ball at full speed while maintaining control is a specific skill that needs deliberate practice. Set up two cones 15 yards apart and drive at full pace before finishing. Use a QUICKPLAY rebounder to play the ball into space ahead of you at the start of each run, simulating a through ball. The focus is on not decelerating before the shot - that is where defenders catch up.

One to Watch: Anthony Gordon

Gordon arrives on the back of a £69m move from Newcastle to Barcelona, joining a front line that includes Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. He was Newcastle's top scorer last season with 17 goals and comes into this tournament with momentum and something to prove at international level. Direct, quick, and comfortable on either flank - exactly the kind of player who can change a game off the bench.

In the Garden Before the Tournament

England kick-off their Group L campaign on 17 June against Croatia. With the group stage running through to 27 June, there is still time to get a proper setup in place before the first ball is kicked.

A QUICKPLAY KICKSTER goal goes up in seconds and packs away just as fast. A rebounder alongside it gives you a complete practice setup that works for solo sessions as well as group drills. Browse the QUICKPLAY garden goals collection and get sorted before the tournament starts.