England have a tremendous wealth of talent in years to come(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
England's chances to end 60 years of hurt went undone at the World Cup 2026. The Three Lions were eliminated in the semi-finals by Argentina but managed their best finish at the tournament since 1966.
Their thrilling 6-4 victory over France ensured they finished third with Spain claiming the ultimate victory after besting Lionel Messi and co in the final. Attention has now shifted to Euro 2028 with Thomas Tuchel's side's next chance to lift the World Cup set to come in 2030.
The tournament, which will be jointly-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, will not be attended by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who announced that this summer was their last appearance in a World Cup. Four years can result in new stars being born and current ones losing steam as Mirror Football looks at what could England's starting XI in 2030...
Goalkeeper
James Trafford is currently back-up for club and country(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Age is on the side of James Trafford who'll be 27 years of age in 2030. Current number one Jordan Pickford will be 36 years old but club form will be imperative for Trafford should he aim to usurp the Everton icon.
Trafford is number two at Manchester City given the existence of Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, displacing the Italian in years to come - or leaving the Etihad Stadium - could allow the talented goalkeeper to play week in, week out and prove he can star for his country.
Right-back
The Newcastle star was forced to miss out on the World Cup due to injury(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Injuries might be the only factor impacting Tino Livramento's chance of becoming England's first-choice right-back. The Newcastle ace pulled out of the World Cup squad due to injury in what preceded chaos at the position with Reece James also getting injured and Jarell Quansah being sent off against Mexico.
The 23-year-old is an all-round footballer at full-back and provides unbelievable energy on both sides of the ball. If he gets over his injury issues, Livramento can call the right-back role for England home for years to come.
Centre-back
Marc Guehi impressed at the tournament(Image: 2026 FIFA)
The Manchester City defender enjoyed a good tournament and played an integral role in England's run to the semi-finals. The 26-year-old's poise and intelligence was important for Tuchel's side and will no doubt continue his run in the side four years from now.
Ayden Heaven has yet to make his England debut(Image: (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
The Manchester United centre-back played 18 games for the Red Devils last season and impressed despite being just 19 years of age. The defender's best attributes are his composure and ball-carrying from the back.
With John Stones likely to have played his last World Cup, opportunities to assert himself in the conversations to be a starter for England are available. Defenders in modern football are expected to control the tempo of a game from deep and with Heaven excelling at that, he could very well emerge to be an important figure for his nation in four years.
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Midfield
Alex Scott could replace Declan Rice in the starting lineup(Image: Getty)
While Alex Scott remains without an England cap, the Bournemouth midfielder joined the national team camp for their World Cup preparation earlier this summer and was seriously considered for a place in the squad.
The 22-year-old differs from Declan Rice in his excellent technical ability and his capability of keeping the ball in tight spaces. The Arsenal talisman endured a disappointing campaign in which he carried a back injury and suffered with illness.
Scott will receive further opportunities to impress for England as his penchant of keeping calm in the most congested area of the pitch could be a quality Tuchel has earmarked for 2030.
Elliot Anderson was a constant in Thomas Tuchel's midfield(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester City's £116million man was ever-present for Tuchel this summer. Elliot Anderson formed a strong midfield duo alongside Declan Rice in what was the 23-year-old's first major tournament for England.
His move to Manchester will only improve him on the pitch with the opportunity to play Champions League football alongside the best players in Europe can only spell good news for England's future.
Attack
Max Dowman is still 16 years old (Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
Currently representing England U19s, Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is already one of the brightest young talents in Europe. With 13 appearances for the Gunners already under his belt, the experience and opportunities he'll gain in the next few years under Mikel Arteta will no doubt mark a pathway to become an important player for England.
His team-mates in Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke shared duties at right-wing in North America with neither player impressing enough to stamp their authority on the position. Saka's recent injury issues and his move more central on the pitch under Arteta could free up space for Dowman on the right.
Jude Bellingham scored six goals at the World Cup(Image: AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Perhaps the most obvious player on this list, Jude Bellingham is already circling conversations of being England's best player ever and he turned 23 just last month. The Real Madrid superstar will be in his prime in 2030 at 27 years of age and will likely be captain if for the absence of Harry Kane.
The midfielder is the present and future of England and provides them the X-factor that all top teams have with their best player.
Rio Ngumoha could call the left-wing spot his own in 2030(Image: getty)
The Liverpool starlet made his England debut in their pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand and received the Player of the Match award. Expected to have an increased role for his club under Andoni Iraola this season, the 17-year-old simply doesn't have a limit on his otherworldly talent.
The left-wing spot certainly isn't clamped down by one player in particular with Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford sharing the duties this summer, although the former was preferred in the knockout stages.
Ngumoha has the opportunity to stake his claim on the position for the next decade and more and will no doubt be eyeing 2030 as his chance to make his tournament debut for his country.
Harry Kane will be 36 years old by the time of the next World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
The England captain will be 36 years old in 2030 but given his game continues to rely less on pace and athleticism, there's a chance the Bayern Munich striker can represent his country in what would be his fourth, and likely final, World Cup.
After the Three Lions were eliminated by Argentina, Kane refused to rule out his possible appearance in four years. He said:
"I think you know me as a person by now. I'm coming off my best season ever, and I'm 32, nearly 33.
"It's impossible to say; four years is obviously a long way away. Playing for England is my biggest ambition, my proudest thing to do. I feel as good as I've ever felt. Let's see. As long as I'm performing, I'll be representing England. That's just the way it is."
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