England Fans Pick 11-Star XI for World Cup Last-32 DR Congo Tie

Q: Will England bench its PFA Young Player of the Year for this must-win World Cup knockout match?

Probably yes — if the question refers to Morgan Rogers, the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year, he looks more likely to be on the bench than in England’s starting XI against DR Congo. The main selection change is expected to be Declan Rice returning to the side for the World Cup last-32 tie after missing the Panama game as a precaution. That has created a squeeze in Thomas Tuchel’s lineup, and the strongest reporting suggests Rice will come back into midfield alongside Elliot Anderson. Rogers has had a strong season and Tuchel has shown faith in him, especially in the No. 10 role. But his display against Panama was widely viewed as quiet, and the broader expectation is that Jude Bellingham will get the nod in the central attacking role for this knockout match. Additional reporting says the debate between Bellingham and Rogers is effectively settled in Bellingham’s favor. There is still some uncertainty elsewhere. Bukayo Saka is managing an Achilles issue but is still widely predicted to start if fit, while Marcus Rashford is also expected to keep his place. At right-back, Djed Spence now appears the likely starter after injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah’s difficult outing against Panama. So, based on the available reporting, England is expected to bench its reigning PFA Young Player of the Year, Morgan Rogers, for this must-win knockout game.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 1

England supporters are being invited to choose Gareth Southgate’s starting XI for the World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo.
Declan Rice is expected to return to the lineup, raising the main selection question of who drops out after England’s win over Panama.
The fan debate also centers on whether Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka should keep the wide roles, whether Morgan Rogers should retain his place, and who should start at right-back.
The selection exercise comes as England move from the Panama victory into the knockout stage, where lineup decisions carry immediate elimination stakes.