BBC Sport Pundits Pick England's Starting XI for 17 June Croatia Opener

Q: Can Jude Bellingham outshine the legendary Luka Modric in the crucial midfield battle?

Yes — Bellingham has a realistic chance to outshine Modric, but it will depend less on reputation and more on whether England can turn the game into the kind of midfield contest that suits him. The evidence points that way. Bellingham is expected to start as England’s No. 10 after strong warm-up displays, and Tuchel’s likely 4-2-3-1 is built to give him freedom behind Harry Kane. His strengths — carrying the ball, pressing aggressively, arriving late into space and driving transitions — match the areas where Croatia may be vulnerable. Recent analysis around Croatia has highlighted that Modric and Mateo Kovacic, for all their technical quality, can be exposed by high-energy pressing and direct runs from midfield. That said, outshining Modric is not the same as replacing him. Modric remains Croatia’s controlling force, with nearly unmatched big-tournament pedigree, more than 200 caps in sight, and a record of dictating tempo under pressure. Even at 40, he is still described as central to Croatia’s structure and one of AC Milan’s standout performers since his move in 2025. So the matchup is really about influence. If the game becomes slow, technical and possession-based, Modric can still control it. If England make it vertical, physical and intense, Bellingham is well placed to be the more decisive midfielder. On current form, age profile and tactical fit, England will believe Bellingham can win that battle.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14

17 June's World Cup opener against Croatia has prompted BBC Sport pundits to publish their preferred England starting XIs, with most core picks settled but several key positions still debated.
Jude Bellingham sits at the center of the discussion after taking the No. 10 shirt, with pundits split only slightly as some cite his warm-up displays and big-game record over Morgan Rogers.
At the back, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are the main selection dilemma: Micah Richards backs Stones-Guehi, while Paul Robinson would pair Konsa with Guehi despite expecting Stones to play.
Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane are treated as near-automatic starters, while Reece James, Nico O'Reilly and Marcus Rashford feature in some pundits' preferred lineups.
The selections come as Thomas Tuchel's side count down to their first match in Dallas, with pundits stressing England's depth means the opening XI is only one part of the tournament picture.