England's World Cup campaign has officially come to an end, and while the Three Lions earned a bronze medal with their 6-4 win over France, it's not the history they had hoped for. The tournament was a rollercoaster of emotions, with England leading their semi-final against Argentina with just five minutes of normal time remaining before succumbing to a heart-breaking defeat. So, who stepped up for England this summer? And who fell short of expectations? Let's take a closer look at the ratings of every player who took part in the tournament, along with Thomas Tuchel, the head coach who came up short when it mattered the most.
Jordan Pickford - 6
Not a vintage tournament for Pickford, who has been a stalwart for England in recent penalty shootout successes. While he didn't have a great outing in the DR Congo and Norway goals in the knockout stages, he did have some very good moments against Mexico at the Azteca and then Argentina before the late goals. It's not his fault that England exited the tournament, but he will need to be better if he wants to be England's number one for the long term.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Konsa was the only England player to start every game before the semi-final. He looked pretty good, but then clearly ran out of steam during the quarter-finals, which cost him his spot against Argentina. However, he was back up to speed against France and got a goal out of it. His defensive partnership with Marc Guehi can grow for England, but they will need to be more consistent if they want to be a force at the next World Cup.
Nico O'Reilly - 6
For a first tournament, O'Reilly did alright. He didn't really put in a standout display, but he got into good areas and didn't make any real mistakes at the back. He may have been upended by Djed Spence come the end of the tournament, but he showed some promise. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to be more consistent and take his chances when they come.
Declan Rice - 7
Rice was England's star in midfield, delivering so many tackles, ball recoveries, and strides forward. He was crucial in the opening goals against Mexico and Argentina, and his absence in the semi-final against Argentina showed just how important he is to the team. However, he wasn't at 100% and it showed. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
John Stones - 7
Stones was a solid performer, 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 really well. He also pranked Tuchel with an injured shoulder joke in the dressing room after the Mexico game. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to be more consistent and take his chances when they come.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to be more consistent and take his chances when they come.
Bukayo Saka - 7
Saka was perhaps the most frustrating England player at this tournament, in the most positive sense. He wasn't fit enough for England for most of the summer, but he showed his class 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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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 actually protecting the back four, but if this is his first tournament, Euro 2028 after two years with Man City should be excellent. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to be more consistent and take his chances when they come.
Harry Kane - 7
Kane was England's main goal scorer, but 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? I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Jude Bellingham - 8
Bellingham was England's star of the tournament. He was clutch, and now a record-breaker with his seven goals being 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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Marcus Rashford - 5
Rashford got off to a good start with his goal against Croatia, but he 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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. He got five minutes at the end of the third-place play-off. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Kobbie Mainoo - n/a
Mainoo was not used despite Rice's fitness woes and England's midfield struggles. Then gets 'injured' for the England reserve game against France after looking 'demoralised'. Not a great look after a resurgence in 2026. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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.
Dan Burn - 7
Burn was a cult hero, with 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. He had a simple task and mostly delivered. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Morgan Rogers - 6
Rogers had some nice moments at times, including that assist for Anthony Gordon in the semi-final against Argentina and his long-range effort which forced the Jude Bellingham winner against Norway. But he came into the summer in a No 10 battle with Bellingham and was emphatically beaten. It's not his fault, but not his tournament. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Anthony Gordon - 7
Gordon had a slow start to the tournament, but he 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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
James Trafford - n/a
Trafford was the third-choice goalkeeper, but he had a good front-row seat of the action. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Reece James - 6
James was always going to get injured - and he got injured. It's not his fault that England didn't really provide enough back-up for him. He was alright when he played, but he cannot be relied on unless his injury record improves. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
Jarell Quansah - 5
Quansah was not a bad right-back option, but he 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 he looked slow to the game in his next appearance vs France. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater.
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. I think he will be a key player for England in the future, but he will need to stay fit and focused if he wants to be a true world-beater. I also think he needs to be more tactical and flexible in his approach, and he needs to start taking more risks if he wants to be a true world-beater.
