England's World Cup campaign has come to an end, and while the Three Lions earned a bronze medal, it's not the history they had hoped for. The tournament was a rollercoaster of emotions, with England leading their semi-final against Argentina until the dying minutes before conceding twice in agonizing fashion. So, who stepped up for England this summer? Who failed to convince? Let's take a closer look at the ratings of every player who took part in the tournament, plus Thomas Tuchel, the head coach.
Jordan Pickford - 6
Not a vintage tournament for Pickford, who has been a hero in previous tournaments. He didn't have a great outing in the DR Congo and Norway goals in the knockout stages, but he did have some good moments against Mexico and Argentina. While he can't be blamed for England's exit, he didn't perform at his best. Personally, I think Pickford's rating is a bit low. He's a key player for England, and his ability to make crucial saves is invaluable. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between his recent penalty shootout successes and his performance in this tournament. In my opinion, Pickford's rating should be higher, reflecting his importance to the team and his ability to step up in big games.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Konsa was the only England player to start every game before the semi-final. He looked good, but then he clearly ran out of steam during the quarter-finals, which cost him his spot against Argentina. He was back to speed against France and got a goal out of it. From my perspective, Konsa's rating is fair, but it doesn't reflect his potential. He's a young player with a bright future, and his defensive partnership with Marc Guehi can grow for England. What many people don't realize is that Konsa's fatigue in the quarter-finals was a result of his relentless effort throughout the tournament.
Nico O'Reilly - 6
For a first tournament, O'Reilly did well. He didn't have a standout display, but he got into good areas and didn't make any real mistakes at the back. One thing that immediately stands out is O'Reilly's ability to adapt to the pace of the game. He's a promising young player who can contribute to England's defense in the future. However, I think his rating could be higher if he had shown more consistency in his performances.
Declan Rice - 7
Rice is a crucial player for England, and his best version is when he's at 100%. He had a standout moment in the third-place play-off with his wonder strike against France, but he still delivered many tackles, ball recoveries, and strides forward. If you take a step back and think about it, Rice's performance against Mexico and Argentina was exceptional, and his absence against Norway showed England's vulnerability in midfield. In my opinion, Rice's rating is well-deserved, but it doesn't capture the full extent of his impact on the team.
John Stones - 7
Stones is a versatile player who can do a job, even though he came in and out of the team. He had a crucial block in the dying moments against Mexico and kept Erling Haaland quiet against Norway. What makes this particularly fascinating is Stones' ability to adapt to different roles and his impact on the team's defense. In my opinion, Stones' rating is fair, but it doesn't reflect his leadership and versatility on the field.
Marc Guehi - 6
Guehi had a solid tournament and went under the radar, which is what you want as a defender. He put his head where it hurts in crucial times and was particularly crucial at the Azteca. What this really suggests is that Guehi is a reliable defender who can contribute to England's success in the future. However, I think his rating could be higher if he had shown more consistency in his performances.
Bukayo Saka - 7
Saka is a frustrating player for England, in the most positive sense. He wasn't fit enough for most of the summer, just like in the Champions League final for Arsenal. However, when he was on the field, he was effective against Mexico and Norway and got three assists in his first 192 minutes. Then, when the group stages were over, he probably put in the best individual display of the team against France with his hat-trick. If you take a step back and think about it, Saka's performance against France was exceptional, and his fitness issues are a concern for England. In my opinion, Saka's rating is fair, but it doesn't reflect his potential and his impact on the team.
Elliot Anderson - 7
Anderson became a £116m player during the tournament, and while it wasn't quite that level, there were still some really good moments that show a lot of promise. He was better at high pressing than protecting the back four. However, if this is his first tournament, Euro 2028 after two years with Man City should be excellent. What this really suggests is that Anderson has a bright future ahead of him, and his performances in this tournament are a sign of things to come.
Harry Kane - 7
Before the Norway game, Kane had a higher rating. However, he completely went missing against Norway and Argentina when it really mattered. Still one of the best goalscorers in the world, but how long does he have on the major international stage? What this raises a deeper question: is Kane's decline a result of age or a lack of support from his teammates? In my opinion, Kane's rating is fair, but it doesn't reflect his impact on the team and his ability to step up in big games.
Jude Bellingham - 8
Bellingham is England's star of the tournament and a clutch player. He's now a record-breaker with his seven goals, the most by an England player at any major tournament. It wasn't just the goals, but his drive to take England up the pitch, which ended up being quite important given how they were eliminated. Also, his 'Whatever' moment became the best England off-field moment of the tournament. In my opinion, Bellingham's rating is well-deserved, and it reflects his impact on the team and his ability to step up in big games.
Marcus Rashford - 5
Rashford got off to a good start with his goal against Croatia but didn't take his chance when Anthony Gordon dropped off. He looked sharp again against France but his withdrawal at half-time made it look like a cameo rather than a contribution. What this really suggests is that Rashford's performance against Croatia was a sign of things to come, but his lack of consistency is a concern. In my opinion, Rashford's rating is a bit low, but it reflects his performance in this tournament.
Trevoh Chalobah - n/a
Well done Trevoh for eventually picking up the phone to Tuchel as the late call-up. But it should have been Trent Alexander-Arnold. Or an actual right-back. Any right-back. Got five minutes at the end of the third-place play-off. What this really suggests is that Chalobah's late call-up was a result of England's lack of depth at right-back, and his performance was a sign of things to come.
Dean Henderson - 6
Henderson only got a run-out when England lost the semi-final and actually made some decent first-half saves in the third-place play-off against France. Nothing could have been done about France's four in the second half. Could be in a position to challenge Pickford in the future. What this really suggests is that Henderson has the potential to be a key player for England, but he needs to step up his game and prove himself against top-tier opposition.
Kobbie Mainoo - n/a
Mainoo is a conundrum. Not used despite Rice's fitness woes and England's midfield struggles. Then gets 'injured' for the England reserve game against France after looking 'demoralized'. Not a great look after a resurgence in 2026. What this really suggests is that Mainoo's injury and subsequent reserve game were a result of his lack of confidence and England's lack of depth in midfield.
Jordan Henderson - n/a
Henderson had six minutes of action against Panama. One yellow card as a substitute against Mexico. One broken wrist in the Azteca celebrations. One of the all-time great cameo stories at the World Cup. There for the dressing room, but had more of an impact than Mainoo. Just. What this really suggests is that Henderson's brief appearances were a result of his experience and leadership, and his broken wrist was a minor setback.
Dan Burn - 7
Burn is a cult hero. Three big headers in this tournament. Two that crossed the half-way line from inside his own box against Mexico. One smashing one in the final seconds against Norway. Had a simple task and mostly delivered. What this really suggests is that Burn is a reliable defender who can contribute to England's success in the future, and his headers were a sign of his aerial prowess.
Morgan Rogers - 6
Rogers had some nice moments at times, including his assist for Anthony Gordon in the semi-final against Argentina and his long-range effort which forced the Jude Bellingham winner against Norway. However, he came into the summer in a No 10 battle with Bellingham and was emphatically beaten. Not his fault, but not his tournament. What this really suggests is that Rogers is a talented player who needs more support and opportunities to shine.
Anthony Gordon - 7
Gordon had a slow start to the tournament but really hit top gear in the knockout rounds. He won a penalty in Mexico, England's joint-best starting forward against Norway, and scored in the semi-final. What this really suggests is that Gordon is a talented forward who can contribute to England's success in the future, and his performances in the knockout rounds were a sign of things to come.
Ollie Watkins - 5
Watkins did so well to make the plane with his end-of-season form for Aston Villa, but clearly didn't do enough in front of Tuchel in training to impact the actual tournament. Just got seven minutes before the semi-final exit - and became third-choice striker behind Ivan Toney. What this really suggests is that Watkins' lack of impact was a result of his lack of training and preparation, and he needs to step up his game to become a key player for England.
Noni Madueke - 5
Madueke played more minutes than he would have expected, but his stock still went down. He got into good areas and his team-mates clearly trusted him, but the final ball wasn't there enough. Barely did anything of note after winning a penalty in the opening minutes against Croatia. What this really suggests is that Madueke is a talented player who needs more support and opportunities to shine, and his lack of impact was a result of his lack of confidence.
Eberechi Eze - 6
Eze was mostly a substitute player this tournament but struggled to make an impact. His excellent outing against France - his only start of the tournament - showcased what you could get from him in longer periods. But with Gordon and Bellingham impressing, there was no space for a starting spot. What this really suggests is that Eze is a talented player who needs more opportunities to shine, and his lack of impact was a result of his lack of playing time.
Ivan Toney - 5
Toney was picked as England's penalty-taker expert and didn't get a penalty chance to prove it. Only got a couple of chaotic minutes against Argentina and did not do much in his only start against France. What this really suggests is that Toney's lack of impact was a result of his lack of playing time and his inability to step up in big games.
James Trafford - n/a
Trafford is a third-choice goalkeeper who had a good front-row seat of the action. What this really suggests is that Trafford has the potential to be a key player for England, but he needs to step up his game and prove himself against top-tier opposition.
Reece James - 6
James was known to get injured - and he got injured. Not his fault that England didn't really provide enough back-up for him. Was alright when he played, but cannot be relied on unless his injury record improves. What this really suggests is that James' injury issues are a concern for England, and they need to provide better support and backup for their players.
Djed Spence - 6
Spence surprised a few with some good displays, including some mazy running in the win over France. His stock has probably gone up a little, especially after his catchy song. What this really suggests is that Spence is a talented player who can contribute to England's success in the future, and his performances in this tournament were a sign of things to come.
Jarell Quansah - 5
Quansah is not a bad right-back option and was unlucky that he couldn't get his two-game suspension in the knockout rounds suspended by a government official. He will learn from the red card against Mexico, but looked slow to the game in his next appearance vs France. What this really suggests is that Quansah is a talented player who needs more support and opportunities to shine, and his suspension was a result of his lack of experience.
Thomas Tuchel - 6
Tuchel's in-game changes were excellent at the start of the tournament, but then he came up short when it mattered. Not starting Saka against Argentina was followed by a defensive outlook to see out the semi-final. It backfired. He is under pressure. What this really suggests is that Tuchel's tactical decisions were a result of his lack of experience in big games, and he needs to step up his game to become a key player for England.
