Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has singled out the importance of England duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford for Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup ambitions.
Kobbie Mainoo has been able to climb back into the England national team squad for the March international break after his major turnaround in form at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old Manchester United midfielder’s importance to the Red Devils starting XI was restored back in January after the arrival of Michael Carrick.
Marcus Rashford, who is at Barcelona on a season-long loan, was able to win his place back in the England squad in 2025 during his time at Aston Villa last season.
What is YOUR reaction to Kobbie Mainoo’s recall for England?
What is Ruben Amorim thinking right now?!
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand’s prediction for Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford for the 2026 World Cup with England
Rio Ferdinand admitted that he is confident that Kobbie Mainoo will be in the three-man midfield for England’s starting XI at the World Cup tournament this summer.
Mainoo has started all 10 of the Red Devils’ Premier League matches under Michael Carrick since Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager.
The England and United midfielder is one of two key Red Devils picks for Ferdinand, who also thinks Marcus Rashford will start for the Three Lions at the World Cup.
Rashford has impressed during his loan spell at Barcelona and revived his career away from Old Trafford after he was deemed surplus to requirements under Ruben Amorim.
“[Jordan] Pickford in goal, [Reece] James [at] right-back, left-back [is] [Nico] O’Reilly, centre-backs [are] [Ezri] Konsa and [Marc] Guehi,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, as per X.
“Three-man midfield, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the No 10.
“I’m going to [have] [Bukayo] Saka [for the] right. After what I saw the other day, Marcus Rashford [on the] left, Harry Kane [up front]. And there’ll be stipulations on some of these players, right?”
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With the World Cup now weeks away, which players do you predict will do well at the tournament?
And how far will they make it?👀
Man Utd talents Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford are both primed to challenge for World Cup spots for England
England’s final match of the March international break will be played on Tuesday, with the Three Lions hosting Japan at Wembley for a 7:45pm kick-off time in the UK.
The Three Lions kicked off their two international friendly fixtures for March last week, with England being held to a 1-1 draw against Uruguay at Wembley.
England will play Costa Rica on 10th June in their final international friendly ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign in North America under Thomas Tuchel.
Both Mainoo and Rashford have a real opportunity to secure places in the starting XI for England’s upcoming World Cup opener against Croatia on 17th June.
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