Top News

On paper, England enjoyed a fairly successful tournament, but not every member of the squad will be returning home completely satisfied.

While many of us might feel like losers after England’s heartbreaking exit to Argentina in the semi-final, reaching that stage of the World Cup is still a significant achievement.

Although few will be entirely content, Thomas Tuchel’s camp produced several uplifting individual stories throughout the competition.

Here’s our rundown of England’s winners and losers from the tournament.

England’s captain, Harry Kane, demonstrated precisely why he wears the armband, reaffirming his status as one of the Three Lions’ few truly world-class players. His composure from the penalty spot and ability to carry the team, as seen against DR Congo, were outstanding. While he could have done more in the semi-final defeat to Argentina, he was far from alone in that regard.

Jude Bellingham, Tuchel’s other world-class talent, was often the man for the big moments when Kane wasn’t. England’s top scorer in the competition—helped slightly by his goal in the third-place play-off—once again showed his maturity and influence on the biggest stage. Still only 23, the Real Madrid star has plenty of major tournaments ahead of him.

Djed Spence’s emergence was another highlight. Though turning 26 this summer might make it debatable to call him a ‘breakout star,’ his performances in this World Cup made a strong case. Unable to fully showcase his talent at Spurs, Spence displayed his complete range of skills here, nearly rescuing England single-handedly against Argentina before their eventual elimination. Neil Warnock’s old prediction that he would end up either in the Premier League or non-league can now surely be put to rest.

Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move to Manchester City didn’t distract from his performances. If anything, it added pressure. Yet the former Nottingham Forest midfielder handled it impressively, consistently standing out as one of England’s best performers. His displays suggest he has the potential to thrive at the Etihad, and time is firmly on his side.

Dean Henderson’s inclusion might raise eyebrows, considering he conceded four goals in 90 minutes against France. But that match marked his first major tournament appearance—and possibly his last—at age 29, with James Trafford emerging as the next in line. For the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, earning his sixth England cap and a third-place medal was a long-awaited personal milestone.

Thomas Tuchel entered this World Cup with widespread support but leaves with a more divided fanbase. Guiding England to a semi-final and coming within 30 minutes of a World Cup final likely secures him another opportunity at Euro 2028. However, his tactical management against Argentina means he’ll need to prove himself again. Still, Gareth Southgate endured tougher times before improving, so it’s too early to write off Tuchel just yet.

Jordan Henderson’s tournament was one to forget. After just six minutes of play against Panama, he suffered a broken arm during a goal celebration. While his leadership in the dressing room is valued, questions remain about why he occupied a squad spot despite minimal playing time.

Kobbie Mainoo’s calmness and composure could have been valuable in linking defence to attack. Having earned a call-up, it feels harsh for the Manchester United youngster to leave the tournament without a single minute of play. Nevertheless, at his age, future opportunities at the World Cup are almost certain.

Anthony Gordon, like Cole Palmer at Euro 2024, was robbed of what could have been a career-defining memory. His strike against Argentina might have gone down in English football history had it sent the team to the final in New Jersey. Even so, one goal and three assists represent a strong showing, and his critics over his move to Barcelona may now be a little quieter.

Ivan Toney, renowned for his penalty-taking expertise, found no shootouts to shine in. At 30 and now playing in the Saudi Pro League, this was likely his last World Cup. Despite starting in the 6-4 thriller against France, he struggled to make a notable impact, marking a subdued end to his international campaign.