Jesse Lingard Analyses England's World Cup Chances: He Backs Up England
The World Cup is around the corner, and as always, the pundits are weighing in on England’s chances. Jesse Lingard, who recently joined the Brazilian side Corinthians, has suggested that he thinks England have a solid chance. We’re taking a look at this claim and measuring it up to our own analysis of how far England can go at the 2026 World Cup.
Jesse Lingard Back’s England in Recent BBC Interview
Speaking to the BBC, Lingard said that he believed that England “always have a good chance.” He stated his belief in the current crop of England players, and added that “I think in big tournaments, we always do well.”
Lingard has experience of playing for England at the highest level, earning 32 caps and scoring 6 goals between 2016 and 2021. He was part of Gareth Southgate’s famous squad of 2018, a side that revived optimism around the England national team, and scored in England’s 6-1 victory over Panama in that tournament.
Do England “Always Do Well” in Big Tournaments?
Taking the last decade as the best example, Lingard’s statement is very accurate. England have performed well at major tournaments recently:
- 2018 World Cup: 4th Place
- Euro 2020: Runners-up
- 2022 World Cup: Quarter-Finalists
- Euro 2024: Runners-up
However, it’s worth adding that the popular lyric “30 years of hurt” keeps getting updated for a reason (the count is now at 60). Anyone who remembers the “Golden Generation” may raise an eyebrow at the notion that England typically do well in big tournaments. For many years, the England national team was characterised at major tournaments by unaccountably poor performances despite possessing world-leading talent across the pitch.
It may also feel slightly ominous that as with those disappointing years, England in 2026 are struggling to figure out how to best use an abundance of riches in midfield. The era of Gerrard, Lampard, and Scholes may be long gone, but many feel that the key to unlocking England’s potential is figuring out what to do with Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and now Aston Villa’s lively Morgan Rogers.
The legacy of the Southgate years
England’s positive results over the last 8 years were all achieved under Gareth Southgate’s leadership, with Thomas Tuchel facing his first big test as England manager in the upcoming tournament. Ultimately, while Southgate brought a feel-good factor back to English football, the mood eventually soured and the failure to win at successive tournaments led to his departure.
Thomas Tuchel’s first major test
The mood under Thomas Tuchel has been patient but somewhat subdued. While there’s no reason to doubt the quality of the crop of players at his disposal, and England qualified for the World Cup earlier than any other European team, recent performances have been questionable. A messy 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley was followed by a 1-0 home loss to a tidy Japanese side.
While these pre-tournament friendlies largely serve as a last audition for players hoping to make the first team, they’re also supposed to bring a boost of confidence and excitement before the big stage. It’s safe to say that this boost hasn’t materialised.
Who Are England’s Likely Standouts at the 2026 World Cup?
An in-form Cole Palmer could be a gamechanger for England. Palmer has shown some good form in recent England appearances, and at his best is almost unplayable. Jude Bellingham is always accompanied by hype, although his role as England number 10 is facing a surprise threat from Morgan Rogers, who has been excellent recently.
Jordan Pickford conceded his first goal in 11 England appearances against Japan and has the shot-stopping capabilities to be a hero for England. Meanwhile, up front, Harry Kane’s successor has yet to establish himself. England will need a flagging Bukayo Saka to refresh himself quickly after a long season with Arsenal, as his tireless workrate and incisive dribbling and crossing has been one of their greatest strengths in recent tournaments.
And what about Phil Foden? The talented midfielder has struggled to get appearances for Manchester City recently, and his England performances have been below par. It could be that Tuchel decides the best solution to the midfield dilemma is to act decisively, stop trying to craft a squad from the best talent, and instead prioritise cohesiveness.
England’s Chances at the World Cup: Strong Contenders with a Lot to Prove (Again)
Jesse Lingard’s optimism is well-founded: England have a strong recent record at major tournaments. Famously, though, England Expects - and after six decades without a trophy, fans may no longer consider the silver medal a “good performance.” Whatever the squad, whatever the outcome, this will be a trial by fire for Tuchel and his team.
