As the 2026 World Cup in North America draws closer, England manager Thomas Tuchel faces some difficult decisions in shaping his squad. While some players appear to be locks for the team, others find themselves in precarious positions, battling for a spot on the plane. Here are eight players who, based on current form and circumstances, are in danger of being left out of England’s 2026 World Cup squad.

1. Marcus Rashford: Once a key figure for both Manchester United and England, Rashford's form dipped significantly before his loan move to Barcelona. Rashford has admitted that he felt he was in an inconsistent environment at Manchester United, which affected his performance. While he's showing signs of resurgence in Spain, consistency will be key for him to secure his place in the squad.

2. John Stones: A stalwart in England's defense for years, Stones's recent struggles with injuries have cast doubt on his place in the team. With younger center-backs like Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah emerging, Stones needs to prove his fitness and regain his form to warrant selection.

3. Kyle Walker: The experienced right-back, now playing for AC Milan, is facing stiff competition from a host of talented players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James. While his experience is valuable, his age and the emergence of younger, dynamic full-backs could count against him.

4. Ben Chilwell: Once considered England's first-choice left-back, Chilwell has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form. With Luke Shaw still a strong contender and the rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Chilwell needs to rediscover his best form to make the squad.

5. Jordan Henderson: A long-time servant for England, Henderson's move to Ajax hasn't guaranteed his place in the national team. With younger midfielders like Adam Wharton and Curtis Jones emerging, Henderson's experience might not be enough to secure his spot.

6. Raheem Sterling: Despite past contributions to the national team, Sterling's form has been inconsistent in recent years. With a wealth of attacking talent available to Tuchel, Sterling needs to find a new level of performance to force his way back into the squad.

7. Aaron Ramsdale: After losing his starting place at Arsenal, Ramsdale's move to Southampton was intended to revive his career, but that has not happened. With Jordan Pickford firmly established as the number one and Dean Henderson also in contention, Ramsdale faces an uphill battle to make the squad.

8. Dominic Solanke: While a consistent performer for his club, Solanke faces intense competition to be Harry Kane's understudy. With Ollie Watkins also vying for the same role, Solanke needs to demonstrate that he offers something different to secure his place.

The fight for places in England's 2026 World Cup squad is already intensifying. These eight players, among others, will need to prove their worth to Thomas Tuchel in the coming months to avoid missing out on the tournament.