It is a decade since England last travelled to a major tournament without Gareth Southgate in charge. Now former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is the man tasked with delivering what many feel is overdue glory for the Three Lions. His fine record in knockout football offers hope.

So too does England’s good recent history in major tournaments. They reached the final of each of the last two European Championships, were beaten at the semi-final stage in the 2018 World Cup and were unfortunate to lose to France in the quarters four years ago.

The bookmakers generally have England down as third favourites, behind Spain and France.

Which Chelsea players do England have?

Reece James is our sole representative in Thomas Tuchel’s squad and it is an exciting time for our skipper, who missed out on representing his country four years ago in Qatar because of injury.

He was also unavailable for the Euros in Germany in 2024, when England lost to Spain in the final. His only game at a major tournament so far came in the goalless draw with Scotland at Euro 2020.

James has 22 caps to his name, scoring once, and will hope to start on the right side of Tuchel’s defence, particularly as the German helped our Academy graduate thrive during his Chelsea tenure.

Who else is in England’s squad?

James is included in the squad alongside Chelsea Academy graduates Marc Guehi and Tino Livramento. Four players – Jarell Quansah, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and captain Harry Kane – ply their trade outside the Premier League.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

What teams are in England’s group?

England are in Group L of the expanded 48-team tournament. Their opening game is against Croatia, who have long proven sticky opponents, including in the last four in 2018.

Panama were well beaten by England in the group stage of that year, while England have only played Ghana once before, in a friendly 15 years ago.

The game against Panama, England’s third of the group, takes place at the same stadium where we lifted the Club World Cup last summer.

When are England’s fixtures?

England v Croatia, Dallas, Wednesday 17 June, 9pm

England v Ghana, Boston, Tuesday 23 June, 9pm

England v Panama, New Jersey, Saturday 27 June, 10pm

All times UK.

How did England qualify?

With no hassle. The Three Lions won all eight of their games, scoring 22 goals and conceding none to finish a whopping ten points clear of second-placed Albania. The standout result was probably a 5-0 victory against Serbia in Belgrade, although insipid 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Andorra left plenty to be desired.

What is England’s World Cup history?

It is now 60 years since Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at an ecstatic Wembley Stadium after a memorable 4-2 victory over Germany in July 1966.

Since then, England have been beaten in two semi-finals – in 1990 and 2018 – and reached the last eight on another seven occasions, mostly recently in Qatar last time out.

They haven't failed to qualify for the tournament since 1994, and last failed to make it out of the group in 2014.