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Another FIFA World Cup has concluded, bringing yet another chapter of disappointment for England, who continue their decades-long quest to recreate the glory of 1966.

The Three Lions travelled to North America with a 26-man squad under new German manager Thomas Tuchel, who was taking charge of England at a major tournament for the first time. On paper, a semi-final finish — only the fourth in England’s World Cup history — was a commendable achievement, especially after bowing out to defending champions Argentina.

However, the heartbreak in that semi-final felt painfully familiar. Tuchel’s ultra-cautious tactics in the final stages drew criticism, and questions soon followed: did he pick the right squad, and did he make the best use of his players?

There was frustration for some, such as Kobbie Mainoo, who did not play a single minute, and Jordan Henderson, whose controversial selection ended in farce when he broke his wrist without featuring meaningfully. Meanwhile, captain Harry Kane continued to score freely but once again fell short of leading England to gold.

Here are the player ratings for every member of England’s 2026 World Cup squad, following their thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the bronze-medal match.

Jordan Pickford – 7/10: Not at his best, but no major mistakes either. Conceded in five of seven matches and could have done better for DR Congo’s strike and Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser. Still, his display against Mexico was vintage Pickford — one of his finest outings for England.

Dean Henderson – 5: A memorable debut for the wrong reasons. Handed a start in the third-place play-off, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper conceded four goals in the second half against a rampant French side. To be fair, the finishing was sublime.

James Trafford – N/A: Did not make an appearance. Likely disappointed not to start the bronze match, but understandable given his role as backup all season. He’ll set his sights on the No.1 spot for Euro 2028 — but first, he needs to secure a starting job in the Premier League.

Reece James – 6: Another tournament of what-ifs. Excellent when fit, offering both composure on the ball and defensive strength, but a recurring hamstring issue kept him out of three critical matches.

Jarell Quansah – 3: A tough introduction. Deputising at right-back against Mexico, he started well before a reckless challenge earned him a red card and a two-match suspension, leaving Tuchel short of options.

Djed Spence – 7: A rollercoaster campaign for the Tottenham defender. Poor against DR Congo, impressive as a substitute versus Mexico and Norway, and unforgettable against Argentina with that crucial tackle. His recovery pace evoked memories of Kyle Walker.

Ezri Konsa – 6: Trusted by Tuchel, starting every match except the semi-final. Improved as the tournament progressed and was rewarded with a goal against France. Might rue not being tighter on Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time against Argentina.

John Stones – 6: Shaky start versus Croatia but grew into the tournament. His leadership was invaluable in a young squad, and his 94 caps show his continued importance.

Trevoh Chalobah – N/A: Only saw action in the 93rd minute of the bronze final, replacing Tino Livramento. Never truly expected to feature heavily.

Marc Guehi – 7: Surprisingly benched for the opener but became England’s standout defender from the Ghana game onward. His handling of Erling Haaland was a defensive masterclass.

Dan Burn – 7: A cult hero among fans. His cameos against Mexico and Norway were full of heart and grit, winning aerial duels and lifting team morale. However, his introduction against Argentina arguably backfired, giving Messi’s side more space.

Nico O’Reilly – 6: Dropped for the semi-final but otherwise consistent. Reliable on the left and linked well with Anthony Gordon. Perhaps could have offered more attacking output given his Manchester City pedigree.

Elliot Anderson – 7: A promising first major tournament. Showed energy and flashes of technical skill. A solid partner for Rice, though England may need more creativity in midfield going forward.

Declan Rice – 7: Battled through fitness issues but still made key contributions, including a goal against France and a strong performance when shifted to right-back versus DR Congo.

Jordan Henderson – 2: Featured briefly against Panama, then suffered a broken wrist without playing again. His leadership qualities aside, his inclusion ultimately proved a wasted opportunity.

Kobbie Mainoo – N/A: Never featured due to a back injury before the bronze match. Many felt his composure could have been useful versus Argentina, but we’ll never know.

Jude Bellingham – 9: The star of the tournament. Scored seven goals — a record for an English player at a major event — surpassing Kane’s six. Relentless in work rate and determination, though still maturing emotionally.

Morgan Rogers – 6: Produced a key assist for Gordon in the semi-final and sparked a crucial rebound goal against Norway. Otherwise quiet, with the expected battle for the No.10 role never fully materialising.

Bukayo Saka – 7: His hat-trick against France boosted his rating after a mixed run. Began brightly with three assists but faded mid-tournament due to injury. Perhaps should not have been risked so heavily.

Eberechi Eze – 5: Impressed when finally given a start in the bronze match but struggled to make an impact earlier as a substitute. Limited opportunities with Gordon and Bellingham in form.

Noni Madueke – 5: A difficult competition for the Arsenal winger. Earned a penalty in the opener but was poor against Norway. Worked hard overall, filling in during Saka’s injury spells.

Harry Kane – 7: Six goals and an assist mark another productive World Cup, with decisive strikes against Croatia, DR Congo, and Mexico. Yet his quiet showings in the quarter-final and semi-final cost England dearly.

Ivan Toney – 3: Limited minutes, limited impact. Came on late versus Argentina and started against France but failed to find the net.

Ollie Watkins – 3: Barely featured until the bronze final, where he showed glimpses of threat. Deserved more playing time.

Marcus Rashford – 5: Scored a fine goal against Croatia but faded quickly afterward. His influence diminished as the tournament advanced.

Anthony Gordon – 7: Recovered from poor early outings to become a key performer. Won a penalty against Mexico and scored against Argentina — a moment to savour despite the defeat.