England qualified for the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup with two Barcelona players in its ranks: Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford. Both are competing for similar positions, with their roles alternating under coach Thomas Tuchel.
Gordon started two of three matches, against Croatia (72 minutes) and Ghana (65 minutes), but struggled to make a decisive impact in the final attacking meters as Croatia’s defense effectively marked his flank. He remained on the bench against Panama and did not play.
Rashford, showing clear progress, made a positive impression despite limited time (18 minutes) against Croatia, scoring a goal to secure England’s victory. He entered late versus Ghana (7 minutes) and regained his starting spot against Panama, helping to increase the attacking tempo and stretch the opponent’s defense.
Tuchel publicly praised Rashford’s commitment and training level. The internal competition between Gordon and Rashford has become more evident, with many analysts considering Rashford to have gained an initial advantage because of his international experience.
For Barcelona, this internal England rivalry affects playing time dynamics and motivation for both players, ultimately enhancing the club’s potential impact on the national team.
