With the World Cup just around the corner, each nation’s gaffer will be sitting down now with a pad and paper, consulting their coaches and scouts to see who will make it as part of their 26 man squad to the USA, Canada and Mexico.

England’s Thomas Tuchel named a whopping 35 man squad for the most recent games against Japan and Uruguay, offering ‘fringe’ players one last chance to impress him and book a place on the plane.

Tuchel will need to axe at least nine of those players, and will have bad news for others who have been involved in recent squads.

So who will be most likely to get onto the flight with Tuchel and co? Here at World Cup Wire we’ve tried to give each player a percentage chance of making the final squad.

GOALKEEPERS

Five goalkeepers were called up to the latest warm-up squad, however, traditionally only three keepers are taken with each team.

With Jordan Pickford being an ever-present within the sticks, and Dean Henderson on the brink of a European Triumph, those two names seem to be nailed on.

James Trafford is also within touching distance of being part of a treble winning side, but has been relegated to cup games this season, and Aaron Ramsdale is yet to become a permanent fixture at Newcastle, still competing with Nick Pope.

However, with Trafford’s experience and success in youth tournaments, it seems likely he will be the third keeper taken overseas.

DEFENDERS

If Tuchel takes four centre-backs and four full-backs, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa seem to be nailed on choices, both confident, comfortable players who are having exceptional seasons at club-level.

Harry Maguire has had a season that has proved he can still perform at a high standard, and off the back of earning a new one-year deal at Old Trafford, should be on Tuchel’s list.

John Stones is also a likely option to be joining the group, with many tournament apperances under his belt, and with time under Pep Guardiola, Stones will offer leadership and experience both on and off the pitch.

Dan Burn will also be hopeful of a call, offering aerial ability from set-pieces and tough defending, but may miss out after a lacklustre Newcastle season.

In terms of full backs, Nico O’Reilly has flourished under Guardiola, while Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento have been proving themselves as one of the leagues best partnerships. A returning Reece James (who wasn’t called up to the 35), will offer both attacking output and defensive solidity.

MIDFIELDERS

At the last European Championships, Gareth Southgate had a tough time getting the midfield balance right.

With a plethora of talent on offer to the manager, Tuchel will need to make sure he has enough options to get the best out of the team.

Elliot Anderson has put himself in the spotlight this season after a standout campaign at Nottingham Forest, and has proved himself to be a reliable option in England’s qualifiers.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is one of the world’s best, and a squad without him may lack creativity, so should be one of the first names taken down.

Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer all have tournament experience, and are used to competing for football’s highest honours, and will be a valuable addition.

After fighting his way back into favour at Manchester United following the departure of Ruben Amorim, Kobbie Mainoo has stepped up his game and returned to the form we all saw pre-Euro ’24, earning him a contract until 2031, putting himself to the front of Thomas Tuchel’s mind.

Adam Wharton was emerging as one of Crystal Palace’s stars last season, but this season has made less of an impact, and though James Garner has been pivotal in Everton’s European push, may just miss out in place of other names.

There’s more on the battle to be named England’s number 10 in Owen Ratcliffe’s piece here.

ATTACKERS

England have a wide-range of world-class attackers at their disposal, leaving the boss with a headache as to who to take.

Ballon d’Or hopeful Harry Kane will be England’s captain and will undoubtedly lead the line for the Three Lions, and his back-up will likely be Ollie Watkins, with Premier League and European experience in his locker, as a good option off the bench.

Other names possible for the back-up striker may be Dominic Solanke or Ivan Toney, but with Tottenham struggling this season, and Toney playing in Saudi Arabia, Tuchel may be looking to Watkins.

Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen, Eberiche Eze, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka will all be in contention for a place in the 26, as all of them have racked up caps for the international team.

Marcus Rashford has found a new lease of life out in Spain, and despite not starting every game for Barcelona, he is certainly admired by Tuchel, and should be on the plane come June if he has a strong finish to the season.

Noni Madueke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were also part of the 35, but are likely to miss out to make space for other positions.

THE FINAL 26 (WORLD CUP WIRE PREDICTIONS)

Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Defenders – Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Reece James

Midfielders – Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer

Attackers – Jarrod Bowen, Eberiche Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins