Jude Bellingham appears set to claim the No 10 role in England's starting lineup for their World Cup opener against Croatia, while Marc Guehi faces a surprising omission from the first-choice central defensive pairing, according to sources close to the camp.

Bellingham edges out Rogers

The contest between Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for the central attacking position has been one of the most hotly debated topics ahead of the tournament. Rogers emerged as a genuine contender, raising real questions about Bellingham's place in the side.

However, indications from within the England camp suggest that the XI Thomas Tuchel fielded in the 3-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica will be close to the team that takes on Croatia on Wednesday — meaning Rogers is likely to begin on the bench.

Bellingham's pedigree in an England shirt, combined with the experience of performing week-in, week-out at Real Madrid, makes him difficult to overlook. His capacity for decisive moments at the highest level remains a core argument in his favour.

Guehi left out of expected defensive pairing

Perhaps the bigger surprise lies in defence. John Stones and Ezri Konsa are expected to form England's central defensive partnership — an outcome that will catch many observers off guard given the widespread assumption that Guehi was the undisputed first choice.

Guehi had been pivotal to England's back line during Euro 2024 and, since completing his move from Crystal Palace to Manchester City — where Pep Guardiola selected him ahead of Stones during the final stretch of the season — his international standing appeared only to be growing.

Tuchel is said to favour a more physical centre-back pairing, and both Stones and Konsa offer greater stature than Guehi. Yet balance remains a consideration: Guehi typically operates as the left-sided centre-back, and with both Stones and Konsa right-footed, that positional question has not fully disappeared ahead of the Croatia match.

Saka's fitness shapes the right flank

On the right side of England's attack, Noni Madueke started the Costa Rica friendly ahead of Bukayo Saka. Tuchel has acknowledged that Saka — still managing the effects of a lower leg muscular problem that curtailed his involvement in Arsenal's season run-in — will need to be carefully handled throughout the tournament.

Concern about Saka's fitness remains at Arsenal, though the indications from the United States are that his condition is improving daily. Were England already in the knockout rounds, Saka could potentially start — though perhaps not see out the full 90 minutes.

For the group stage, Tuchel's decision on how much to protect Saka will shape his selections. In Madueke, he has a player he clearly trusts as a ready-made alternative should the manager choose to nurse Saka back to full fitness gradually.