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England’s World Cup campaign is officially over and while history is made – it’s not the history the Three Lions wanted.
A stunning 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off saw Thomas Tuchel’s side clinch the bronze medal – and England’s best performance at a World Cup since the 1966 World Cup.
But it could have been more. England led in their semi-final with Argentina before twice losing to the holders in agonizing fashion with five minutes of normal time remaining.
So who became England this summer? Who failed to convince? All 26 players, plus Thomas Tuchel, are rated below…
Jordan Pickford – 6
Not a vintage tournament after recent penalty shootout success in previous tournaments. DR Congo and Norway have not been great in terms of goals in the knockout stages but had very good outings before two late goals against Azteca and then Argentina. Not responsible for England’s departure.
Jordan Pickford stood out in his performance against Mexico
Izri Consa – 6
Only England player to start every game before the semi-finals. Looked good but then clearly ran out of steam during the quarter-finals, costing him his place against Argentina. Backed up the pace against France and got a goal in between – his defensive partnership with Mark Guihy could grow for England.
England’s Ejri Konsa was regular at the back and promising
Nico O’Reilly – 6
For a first tournament, absolutely fine. Didn’t really put in a standout display in the tournament but got into good areas and made no real mistakes at the back. Couple of burning moments of frustration and could be upended by Djed Spence coming towards the end of the tournament. But the signs are promising.
Nico O’Reilly had a tough first tournament with England
Declan Rice – 7
If you want the best version of Rice, you need him 100 percent. He wasn’t. He had a standout moment in a third-place play-off wonder strike against France, but still made plenty of tackles, ball recoveries and forwards. Important in the opening goals against Mexico and Argentina.
After going off at half-time with illness against Norway, England’s weakness in midfield showed what happens when he’s not there, while his right-back cameo against DR Congo helped turn the game around.
Rice was not fully fit yet delivered
John Stones – 7
He doesn’t have a club but can still work, even though he’s been in and out of the team. Had a key block at the dying moments against Mexico and kept Erling Haaland calm against Norway. Also pranked Tuchel with an injured shoulder joke in the dressing room after the Mexico game.
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Watch the hilarious moment John Stones faked a shoulder injury to England boss Thomas Tuchel during dressing room celebrations after beating Mexico. X Credit: @England.
Mark Guihy – 6
Tough tournament. Went under the radar, which is what you want as a defender. Put his head where it hurts at crucial times and was especially important in the Aztecs.
England’s Mark Guihy puts his body on the line at times
Bukayo Saka – 7
Probably the most disappointing England player in the tournament in the most positive sense. He was not fit enough for England for most of the summer, as was the Champions League final for Arsenal. Good against Mexico and Norway and had three assists in his first 192 minutes.
Then, when the group stage ended, he produced perhaps the team’s best individual display against France with his hat-trick. He should have started against Argentina, but Tuchel made a big mistake not doing so. Hopefully, he will be fully fit by Euro 2028.
Statistics show Bukayo Saka should have started at the World Cup
Elliott Anderson – 7
Became a £116m player during the tournament, and although it wasn’t quite that level, there were still some really good moments that showed a lot of promise. Was better at high pressure – the second goal against Mexico was the standout moment – than actually defending the back four. But if this is his first tournament, Euro 2028 should be great after two years with Man City.
Elliott Anderson impressed in his first England tournament
why harry – 7
The England captain’s ratings were high before the Norway game. But against Norway and Argentina, Kane was completely absent when it really mattered. Still one of the best goalscorers in the world, but how long is he on the big international stage?
England’s Harry Kane was in goal but disappeared towards the end of the tournament
Jude Bellingham – 8
England’s star of the tournament. Clutch player. And now the record breaker – his seven goals are the most by an England player in any major tournament.
It wasn’t just the goals, but his drive to get England onto the pitch, which was crucial to how they were eliminated. Also gave England’s best off-field moment of the tournament: “Whatever.”
Jude Bellingham was England’s star player
Marcus Rashford – 5
Got off to a good start with his goal against Croatia but Anthony Gordon didn’t take the opportunity to drop out. Looked sharp again against France but his withdrawal at half-time made it look like a cameo rather than a contribution. Gordon has made the Barcelona and England squads, so where does he go now?
Marcus Rashford failed to take his chances
Trev: Let’s go – n/a
Well done Trevo for finally picking up the phone to Tuchel as a late call-up. But it should have been Trent Alexander-Arnold. Or an actual right back. Any write-back. Got five minutes at the end of the third place playoff.
Dean Henderson – 6
England were only run out when they lost in the semi-finals and made some decent first-half saves in the third-place play-off against France. Nothing could be done with the French four in the second half. Could be in a position to challenge Pickford in the future.
Kobi Mainu – n/a
a riddle Rice was not used despite fitness issues and England’s midfield struggles. Then looked ‘disappointed’ after being ‘injured’ in England’s reserve game against France. Not a great look after the resurrection in 2026.
Jordan Henderson – n/a
Six minutes of action against Panama. A yellow card as a substitute against Mexico. A broken wrist in Azteca celebration. One of the greatest World Cup cameo stories of all time. There for the dressing room, but had more impact than Mainu. only
Jordan Henderson breaks his hand in celebration against Mexico
And burn – 7
Cult hero. Three big headers in this tournament. Two crossed the halfway line from inside their own box against Mexico. Smashed one in the last seconds against Norway. Was an easy task and mostly delivered.
Dan Byrne became a cult hero
Morgan Rogers – 6
Some nice moments at times, including Anthony Gordon’s assist in the semi-final against Argentina and Jude Bellingham’s long-range effort in the winner against Norway. But he came into the No. 10 battle with Bellingham over the summer and was beaten hard. Not his fault, but not his tournament.
Morgan Rogers had limited opportunities to prove himself
Anthony Gordon – 7
His goal against Argentina will always be there. A slow start to the tournament but Barcelona’s new man really hit top gear in the knockout rounds. Won a penalty in Mexico, England’s joint-best forward started against Norway and scored in the semi-final.
Anthony Gordon took the left wing as his own
Ollie Watkins – 5
Aston did well enough to plane with his end-of-season form for Villa, but Tuchel clearly didn’t have enough up front in training to impact the actual tournament. Just seven minutes before the semi-final exit – and Evan became the third-choice striker behind Toni.
Nonny Duke – 5
Noni Maduke failed to take most of the opportunities put in front of him
He played more minutes than expected, but his stock is still down. Got into the area well and his teammates clearly believed in him, but the last ball wasn’t enough. Won a penalty in the opening minutes against Croatia and could hardly do anything of note.
King’s Mercy – 6
Mostly a substitute in this tournament but struggled to make an impact. His excellent outing against France – his only start of the tournament – shows what you can get from him over a long period of time. But with Gordon and Bellingham impressing, there was no room for a starting spot.
Evan Toney – 5
England’s penalty-taker was picked as a specialist and didn’t get a penalty chance to prove it. Got just a handful of minutes against Argentina and didn’t do much in his only start against France.
James Trafford – n/a
Third choice goalkeeper. Had a good front row seat to the action though.
Reece James – 6
Everyone knew he would get hurt – and he did. It is not his fault that England did not provide adequate back-up for him. He’s been OK when he’s played, but can’t be relied upon unless his injury record improves.
DZ Spence – 6
That tackle against Argentina was good, wasn’t it? Shame it doesn’t matter. Has surprised a few with some good displays this summer, including some mazy runs in the win over France. His stock probably rose a bit, especially after his catchy song.
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After Dazed Spence’s brilliant cameo on the bench against Norway, England fans Ben Cipolla and Dan Lucas have come up with a new song for the full back titled ‘Total Eclipse of Dazed Spence’.
Jarrell Quansah – 5
England’s Jarrell Quansah was sent off against Mexico
Not a bad right-back option and unfortunate that he didn’t get his two-game suspension overturned by a government official in the knockout rounds. He would learn from the red card against Mexico, but looked to slow down the game in his next appearance against France.
Thomas Tuchel – 6
At the start of the tournament, it was all about Tuchel’s brilliant in-game changes. Half-time team talk against Croatia, wall-to-wall wall-to-wall effort against Mexico. But then the England head coach came up short when it mattered – the opposite of what he was brought in to do.
Saka did not start against Argentina but had a defensive approach to watch the semi-final. It retreats. He is stressed.
Anthony Barry – 6
For media presence, 10/10. “We’re playing with broken hearts,” France’s halftime win was absolutely golden. He was also the mastermind behind Rice’s play at right-back vs DR Congo. But that makes him equally responsible for England’s questionable tactical calls.
