England's 60-year wait for World Cup glory will go on after the Three Lions crashed out of the 2026 edition to Argentina in the semi-finals.
It was an England performance that frustrated a number of supporters, with Thomas Tuchel's side seemingly inviting pressure after Anthony Gordon's opener. A late comeback felt inevitable after an onslaught of Argentina attacks, and Lautaro Martinez's header ultimately sealed England's fate.
While they'll get another shot at major tournament success at the 2028 Euros -- providing they qualify -- they'll have to wait until 2030 before featuring in another World Cup.
With experienced England internationals Harry Kane, John Stones and Jordan Pickford amongst those who are expected to be playing their final years by the time that the 2030 World Cup arrives, we take a look at five players who could break into the Three Lions squad four years from now.
Which players could make England's 2030 World Cup squad?
Rio Ngumoha
There were outside shouts that Rio Ngumoha should have been included in Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad, and while he didn't get the call up, he did travel with the squad to take place in the pre-tournament camp in Florida.
That alone is testament to his quality at just 17 years of age, and four years of senior football should put him in the picture for the left-wing spot in 2030.
The fearless winger has already represented England at U15, U16, U17 and U19 level, and he's expected to play a bigger part for Liverpool under the stewardship of Andoni Iraola in the 2026/27 campaign.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite has had a hard time with injuries in recent years, making just 10 Premier League appearances for Everton last campaign.
There's no denying the central defender's quality when fit however, evident by the fact that he was linked with a £70m switch to Manchester United as recently as 2024.
Harry Maguire's omission from Tuchel's squad is proof of England's period of transition in the defensive department, and Branthwaite may sense an opportunity to make the position his own in the years to come.
James Trafford
Jordan Pickford has been ever-present in the England setup since making his international debut in 2017, but he will be 36 by the time that the 2030 World Cup rolls around and so a change in between the sticks may be needed.
While there's no guarantee that Pickford will be displaced -- with goalkeepers frequently playing at a higher level longer than outfield players -- James Trafford appears well placed to seamlessly succeed the Everton stopper.
There are murmurs that newly-appointed Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca favours Trafford, as opposed to Gianluigi Donnarumma who played the majority of the 2025/26 term, and so a return to regular first team football should aid his push to take Pickford's place in an England shirt.
Max Dowman
While Ngumoha has been widely touted as England's next star on the left flank, Max Dowman has been talked up as the nation's prodigy on the right.
The Arsenal man was in and around the Gunners squad for a fair share of the 2025/26 term, scoring his first Premier League goal in his side's 2-0 win over Everton in March.
Competing with Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka for the right-wing position at both club and international level, Dowman has all the qualities to become one of the nation's brightest talents.
Alex Scott
Like Ngumoha, Alex Scott partook in England's training camp before the World Cup, though -- unlike the Liverpool winger -- didn't feature in any of the two friendlies.
After getting to grips with top-flight football in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, Scott became a mainstay in the Bournemouth team in the 2025/26 term under Iraola.
A press-resistant, box-to-box midfielder who is capable in all three midfield roles, the 22-year-old is already drawing interest from the likes of Man Utd and Arsenal.
Competition in the midfield department at England is rife -- with Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo amongst Tuchel's current options -- but there's a long way to go before the Three Lions contest in the 2030 World Cup and Scott will fancy his chances of solidifying a spot in the squad.
