The 2026 World Cup may have ended in disappointment for England, but amidst the pain of yet another semi-final exit, there are reasons to be optimistic. While the loss to Argentina was a bitter pill to swallow, it's important to remember that this team has made significant strides in recent years. Here's a closer look at five positives to take away from the tournament, and why they matter for England's future.
Kane and Bellingham's Goal-Scoring Prowess
One of the most exciting aspects of this England squad was the goal-scoring prowess of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Both players have the potential to be the competition's top scorers, and their performances in the tournament were nothing short of remarkable. Kane, who averaged a goal every 66 minutes for Bayern Munich this season, quickly put himself in contention to be the competition's top scorer. Bellingham, on the other hand, had a relatively quiet season at Real Madrid, but his goal-scoring abilities were on full display in the tournament. The fact that both players came to England's rescue when it was needed most is a testament to their skill and importance to the team. While Kane has not committed to featuring at the 2030 World Cup, we should get at least one more outing for the goalscoring pair together at the 2028 Euros.
Reaching Yet Another Semi-Final
While the exits late in the World Cup and Euros may be painful to remember, they are still a sign of immense progress for England's tournament progression. Prior to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, England had not gone further than the tournament's quarter-finals since Italy 1990. And until their 2020 Euros final loss to Italy, they had only ever reached as far as the quarter-finals since their 1996 semi-final loss to Germany. The fact that England has reached either a semi-final or final in four of the last five major tournaments is a huge upturn in form. It shows that the team is consistently performing well and making progress, even if they haven't yet won a major tournament.
Adapting to Unfavorable Conditions
One of the major stories out of the 2026 World Cup has been the conditions that players - and fans - have faced during matches. England did benefit from some fixtures being played in air-conditioned stadiums with roofs, such as in Atlanta against DR Congo, but other conditions were less forgiving. Despite this, England adapted well and never seemed to be struggling due to the external factors imposed on them during games. This is a testament to the players' mental and physical strength, and it could stand them in good stead for the more familiar conditions that will be present at Euro 2028.
Under-the-Radar Players Shining
Manager Thomas Tuchel's squad selection in May raised a few eyebrows when he left out players who have featured regularly in tournament football for England - such as Harry Maguire. However, the decision to include players like Djed Spence - playing for relegation-threatened Tottenham - proved to be a fruitful one. Aside from the high-scoring names like Kane and Bellingham, Spence is one of the players who has come in for particular praise this tournament for his solid defensive displays. Defenders may not often come in for the same lavish praise as Golden Boot contenders, but if England are to finally win another tournament, they will need players like Spence to add squad depth as well as their headline superstars.
Young Talent Waiting in the Wings
One of the biggest criticisms of this current England side is an over-reliance on individual players like Harry Kane, who at the age of 32 will not be around much longer to rescue his side from tight spots such as the one they found themselves in against DR Congo. However, with so much young talent at Tuchel's disposal, it could also be seen as an exciting opportunity to rebuild. Many fans felt Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha was unlucky to not make the full squad after a few impressive showings in his debut Premier League season - followed by being named man of the match on his debut at the age of 17 in a tournament warm-up match against New Zealand. And Arsenal's Max Dowman - who became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at the age of 16 in March, as well as the youngest-ever Premier League winner in May - is another exciting prospect for future tournaments. It's also important to remember that tournament star player Jude Bellingham, along with Elliot Anderson, Jarell Quansah, Morgan Rogers and James Trafford are still all aged just 23 years old. They will be 27 at the next World Cup - statistically the perfect age to win the trophy.
In conclusion, while the 2026 World Cup may have ended in disappointment for England, it's important to remember that this team has made significant strides in recent years. From the goal-scoring prowess of Kane and Bellingham to the adaptability of the team in unfavorable conditions, there are reasons to be optimistic about England's future. With young talent waiting in the wings and a chance to rebuild, the team has the potential to come back stronger and more competitive than ever before.
