BBC experts pick their England World Cup semi-final XI – do you agree?

July 13, 2026 No Comments

BBC experts pick their England World Cup semi-final XI – do you agree?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Declan Rice went off at half-time in the quarter-final win over NorwayPublished12 July 2026Updated 42 minutes agoEngland are through to the World Cup semi-finals, where they will play Argentina.The Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 to reach the last four, with Wednesday’s match (20:00 BST) to be shown live on the BBC.

BBC Sport experts have attempted to pick Thomas Tuchel’s side for the match below.

Use our selector to choose your starting XI and comment your thoughts below.

John Murray (BBC Radio 5 Live senior commentator)

The main call here is to leave out Ezri Konsa, which I am not sure Thomas Tuchel will do. But if ever there was a match where the experience of John Stones is required, then this is it. Of course if Reece James is still considered not yet ready to start then Konsa would play again at right-back.

The other big decision is to start Morgan Rogers on the right, which is a position he has played with Aston Villa. I am not sure England have had enough from either Noni Madueke or Bukayo Saka in the wide right position. And despite the word being that Saka is fully fit and free from pain from his ongoing Achilles tendon issue, he has not been firing on all cylinders in the way that we know he can.

Someone other than Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham has got to weigh in with goals and Rogers has the potential to do that.

Rogers was praised by Tuchel for the role he played when he came on in Miami and the manager described him as one of his key players. He has consistently contributed when he has played for England this season, is match sharp and now could be the time to ask him to step up. Plus, Saka and/or Madueke may perhaps be more effective coming on as substitutes.

And of course the other selection proviso depends on whether Declan Rice has fully recovered after being pressed into service against Norway so soon after recovering from being unwell.

Phil McNulty (BBC Sport chief football writer)

Very tough choice because you have to factor in injuries, injury and illness in Rice’s case, and the fact we are now at the sudden-death stage of the World Cup.

Stones’ experience will be crucial in such a game so I would partner him with Guehi and start with Konsa at right-back with James having had so little action.

Rice is so important that he has to start if anywhere near fit. I’d go with Saka, who has also had an injury, simply because England have to win and Madueke was disappointing against Norway.

Gordon has impressed, so he is the choice on the left flank.

Alex Howell (BBC Sport England reporter)

I would keep the same back four that started the match against Norway.

Konsa provided stability on the right side and James is a high-quality option off the bench.

Providing Saka is fit, I’d start him on the right as his elite decision making is a huge weapon for England.

The rest of the forward line I would keep the same as Kane and Bellingham are on fire and Gordon has started to register assists.

Neil Johnston (BBC Sport reporter)

Stones handled the brutal heat and humidity of Miami well and deserves to keep his place in the starting XI, but Rice has looked a shadow of what we all know he can do.

England need some zip and an injection of pace. Time for Eberechi Eze to step forward and deliver for his country.

James has to start at right-back if fully fit and I’d love to see Rogers face Argentina.