Thomas Tuchel is reportedly preparing a bold and potentially controversial team decision as England gear up for their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia, with one of the national team’s most established defenders now at risk of missing out.
The tournament is already in full swing, with host nations Mexico and the United States both recording opening victories, while Canada were held to a draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday night.
England now enter the spotlight on Wednesday in Dallas, where they face Croatia — the same opposition that knocked them out at the semi-final stage of the 2018 World Cup.
Tuchel arrives at the fixture with several selection dilemmas still unresolved. One of the most pressing concerns is on the right flank, where Bukayo Saka is struggling with an Achilles problem, leaving uncertainty over who will occupy the wing role.
Defensive structure is another major talking point. Reece James and Nico O’Reilly are widely expected to start as full-backs, but the central defensive partnership remains far less settled heading into the high-pressure encounter.
At first glance, Marc Guehi appeared to have secured a starting role alongside either Ezri Konsa or John Stones, with Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah providing depth options from the bench.
However, reports now suggest that this expected plan has been dramatically revised at the final stage.
According to BBC Sport, Marc Guehi is now in line to be left out of the starting XI entirely, with Tuchel instead leaning towards a pairing that featured in England’s recent warm-up victory over Costa Rica — a match in which Ezri Konsa and John Stones started together.
The development comes as a surprise given Guehi’s status within the squad and his consistent performances over the past year.
The Crystal Palace defender has become a key figure for England, having broken into the national team setup during Euro 2024 and subsequently building on that reputation with strong performances at club level.
Guehi’s rise has been marked by maturity and composure, as well as success in domestic competitions, including back-to-back FA Cup triumphs with Crystal Palace and Manchester City players within the England setup often highlighting his reliability under pressure.
Despite that, Tuchel appears to be weighing up a different defensive profile for the opening group-stage match.
It is understood the England manager is considering physicality as a decisive factor in shaping his back line, with Guehi perceived internally as slightly less imposing in aerial and physical duels compared to some of his teammates.
This tactical preference could ultimately cost him a starting place in such a significant fixture.
Should the reported plan materialise, the defensive pairing would likely consist of Konsa and Stones — a combination that offers experience and balance, but also raises questions given both players naturally favour the right side of central defence.
The potential omission of Guehi is likely to spark debate among supporters and analysts alike, particularly given the timing and the importance of continuity in tournament football.
If Stones is selected ahead of him, the decision may prove even more contentious.
While the Manchester City defender remains one of the most decorated and experienced players in the squad, his inclusion comes after a disrupted season shaped heavily by injury concerns and limited game time.
Stones has managed just 18 appearances in all competitions this campaign and has started only one Premier League match since August.
His fitness record has been a major talking point throughout the season, with some observers questioning whether he would even be fully ready for a tournament of this intensity.
Despite those concerns, Tuchel appears willing to place trust in his experience for the opening fixture.
Further forward, there are also suggestions that Tuchel may stick with the attacking structure used in the Costa Rica warm-up victory.
If that remains the case, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke are expected to start, with Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka potentially missing out from the XI.
That decision would also underline Tuchel’s willingness to make difficult calls early in the tournament, even if it means leaving out high-profile names in favour of tactical balance and recent training-ground form.
“A real breath of fresh air” – England legends weigh in on Guehi decision
Reaction to the reported changes has already begun to build, with former England defender Stuart Pearce among those offering a strong view on Marc Guehi’s importance to the national side and what his absence could mean at such a crucial stage.
Pearce, speaking to BOYLE Sports, expressed clear admiration for the defender’s development and temperament at international level, suggesting his progress has exceeded even early expectations.
“Am I surprised by how well Marc Guehi has done? A little bit,” the ex-Man City left-back told BOYLE Sports.
He added: “I always thought he was a very good player at Crystal Palace, but he’s taken another step forward. He also seems incredibly level-headed”
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Pearce also highlighted Guehi’s professionalism and commitment, particularly in relation to his attitude when representing England.
“I’ve never met him, but I’d like to because of the pride he shows in representing both club and country. He’s been a real breath of fresh air for England.”
The former defender also pointed to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding John Stones’ fitness and what it means for England’s defensive structure heading into the tournament.
“With John Stones’ injury concerns, the bigger question now is who plays alongside Marc Guehi. Ideally, it would be John Stones if he’s fully fit.”
He continued by stressing the lack of clarity in that area of the squad, suggesting that decisions remain finely balanced despite Tuchel’s apparent preference.
“There are still one or two question marks in that area. For England’s sake, let’s just hope Marc Guehi stays fit.”
