BBC experts back Kane and Pickford to lead England's Euro 2028 charge
England's Euro 2028 cycle begins — but who starts?
Less than two months after Spain were celebrating their World Cup triumph, the next major tournament cycle is under way. From 9 June 2028, the European Championship will be hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland — and the path to the finals starts now.
England host Spain on Saturday in their Nations League opener. While the competition does not offer a direct qualification route, it provides a secondary route for teams who do not qualify automatically. Despite being co-hosts of Euro 2028, Thomas Tuchel's men are not guaranteed a spot — all hosts must still earn their place.
Assuming England qualify, BBC Sport asked its experts to predict the XI for the opener in summer 2028. Their verdicts, while differing in detail, share a striking consensus.
Phil McNulty: 'Just a couple of changes from the World Cup'
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty foresees evolution rather than revolution. "Jordan Pickford will be 34 by the time Euro 2028 starts so no problem there for goalkeeper, although James Trafford will mount a serious challenge," he wrote.
McNulty would pick Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back but questions whether Tuchel trusts him: "I am still not convinced Tuchel trusts him even though he has handed him an England recall. On that basis I have selected Tino Livramento, if he can stay fit."
At the back, he backs Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite — "if he can steer clear of injury – if" — to partner Marc Guehi, with Nico O'Reilly on the left. In midfield, he prefers Adam Wharton to Elliot Anderson: "Personal preference persuades me to pick Adam Wharton ahead of Elliot Anderson – who I do rate very highly." Declan Rice is, in his words, "a no-brainer."
"Of course there will be claims for Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and even Morgan Gibbs-White, but Jude Bellingham ended any arguments, such as they were, about his class and place in the team with a brilliant World Cup." Up front, McNulty is banking on Harry Kane: "I'm banking on Harry Kane having one more major tournament in him, even though he will be pushing 35 – and let's face it, who else is there?" He also tips Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha to develop into a regular on the left, with Bukayo Saka certain to start.
Sami Mokbel: a side in its prime
BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel sees "largely the same team that was viewed as England's first choice at the World Cup, apart from Morgan Rogers (although I think it will be a close call between him and Anthony Gordon)."
"It's a team packed with players who will all be in their peak years and at the moment, it's hard to see anyone coming out of the team in the next two years," he wrote, pointing to emerging options on the bench such as Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott, Lewis Miley and even Max Dowman.
John Murray: no need to rip it up
BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent John Murray keeps it conservative. "When you consider that England have reached a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final in the past two years it does suggest that this group of players are close and there is nothing there to be ripped up."
He expects James Trafford and Dean Henderson to be given opportunities in goal but believes Jordan Pickford's experience will still give him the edge: "Maybe it would be different if the other two were playing for teams challenging for the major honours." He anticipates Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Ben White pushing at full-back, with Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White and perhaps Max Dowman near the starting line-up by then.
Ian Dennis: continuity under Kane
BBC senior football reporter Ian Dennis notes that when Euro 2028 kicks off, "England captain Harry Kane will be 34 years and 317 days old and knowing his levels of desire, he will be determined to lead England for that tournament on home soil." He backs both Kane and Jordan Pickford to remain, with Ezri Konsa the only other 30-something in his XI.
His one area of uncertainty is right-back, where "there have been nine different players to have started in that position since September 2024." He would not rule out Archie Gray forcing his way in: "I saw him play there as Spurs captain recently and he has the quality, temperament and leadership qualities to step up to senior international level." He also flags Nico O'Reilly and Max Dowman as candidates.
Alex Howell: physicality and youth
Football news reporter Alex Howell also backs Jordan Pickford in goal, with James Trafford closing in. He makes a tight call in midfield: "It was a very tight call for Adam Wharton or Myles Lewis-Skelly in the middle of the pitch but with Tuchel still likely to be in charge I think he will go for the more physical Lewis-Skelly as his number six."
He picks Jarrad Branthwaite as a key physical centre-back, noting the alternative of Levi Colwill. On youth, he writes: "Max Dowman will be 18 years old by the time the next Euros comes around and will likely be in the squad and could be challenging Saka while Brian Madjo looks to be the next bright natural number nine and could be Kane's understudy for this tournament."
The consensus
Across all five pundits, a core of Kane, Pickford, Bellingham, Saka, Rice and Guehi recurs, with genuine debate only at right-back, in the number-six role and among the supporting forwards. With home advantage in 2028, the experts believe this group — supplemented by a wave of teenagers such as Dowman, Ngumoha and Madjo — has the best chance yet of ending England's long wait for a major trophy.