At the 2026 World Cup, a fierce battle is underway within the England squad for a starting position between two Barcelona players — Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford.
Gordon was given the start in England’s opener against Croatia but was substituted in the second half for Rashford, who scored the final goal in a 4-2 victory for the Three Lions. England manager Thomas Tuchel praised Rashford’s hard work in training and his persistence pushing for his place.
"Marcus is just pushing and pushing and pushing in training at the highest level. I am very, very happy for him that he got his relief with that goal against Croatia, and I hope he stays hungry for the next one and the next because he has been absolutely impressive over the last 17 days and really deserved his goal," Tuchel said after the match.
Tuchel also reflected on Rashford’s attitude, highlighting his calm and open mindset whether starting or coming off the bench. Rashford’s ability to quickly translate tactical meetings into on-pitch performances, while competing respectfully with Gordon, makes the competition intense.
Both players will look to continue their fight for the starting place in England’s next match against Ghana. This dynamic underlines the demanding standards placed on attacking players representing Barcelona on the international stage.
The competition between Gordon and Rashford exemplifies the high level of self-demand and tactical flexibility required for England’s attack in the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating the quality depth Barça provides.
