England vs Croatia: bet365 prices up on who starts for the Three Lions in the 2026 World Cup in Dallas

James Smith

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Last updated: Fri 22 May 2026 11:48

James Smith 22 May 2026

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bet365 has gone up with a "To Start" market for England's World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17
Pickford the runaway favourite in goal at 1/50, with Kane (1/33) and Rice (1/33) the bankers in attack and midfield

Thomas Tuchel has named his squad (Getty Images)

Leading bookmaker bet365 has priced up a "To Start" market on every player in Thomas Tuchel's 26-man England squad ahead of the Three Lions' World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday June 17.

Tuchel named his final squad on May 22, a month away from England's tournament getting under way at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

They take on a Croatia side still spearheaded by Luka Modric and ranked as the toughest test of Group L.

The "To Start" market is now live and prices look set to move quickly once the German shows his hand in the build-up to the tournament opener.

The Bankers

Jordan Pickford is as good as a lock between the sticks at 1/50, with Harry Kane and Declan Rice both 1/33 to start their expected roles up top and at the base of midfield.

Bukayo Saka is 1/6 on the right while Reece James, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly all expected to make up the four-man defence.

The bet365 prices in full:

Player	Odds
Goalkeepers
Pickford	1/50
Henderson (Dean)	18/1
Trafford	33/1
Defenders
Guéhi	1/12
O'Reilly	1/3
James	1/3
Konsa	1/3
Stones	13/8
Livramento	7/4
Burn	6/1
Quansah	12/1
Spence	6/1
Midfielders
Rice	1/33
Anderson	1/8
Henderson (Jordan)	10/1
Mainoo	9/2
Forwards
Kane	1/33
Saka	1/6
Rogers	8/13
Rashford	1/1
Bellingham	6/5
Gordon	7/4
Eze	9/4
Madueke	9/1
Watkins	14/1
Toney	25/1

The full market is live now on bet365. Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. 18+, terms apply, please gamble responsibly.

The Interesting Prices

The eye-catchers sit in the middle of the board. Marcus Rashford at evens to start is short enough to suggest Tuchel is leaning towards him on the left, with Anthony Gordon a clear second favourite at 7/4 and Eberechi Eze at 9/4.

Jude Bellingham at 6/5 points to a starting role rather than the floating number-ten experiment Tuchel tried in March.

In midfield, Elliot Anderson at 1/8 has firmed dramatically since his Nottingham Forest form earned him a starting role in the friendlies, with Kobbie Mainoo drifting to 9/2 and the Jordan Henderson recall priced more as a leadership pick at 10/1.

At the back, John Stones at 13/8 suggests he isn't a guaranteed starter despite his experience, with Konsa and Guehi the in-form pair the market expects Tuchel to trust from minute one.

To Start Markets Guide

"To Start" markets always trade heavily in the 48 hours before a tournament opener, and Croatia is the highest-profile group game England will play.

Tuchel has been clear he wants a settled XI for the knockout rounds, so the team that walks out in Dallas is likely to be close to his first-choice eleven for the rest of the group stage against Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27.

Prices on Rashford, Bellingham, Gordon and Eze in particular look likely to move once any team news leaks out of England's pre-tournament camp in Florida next month.