England

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England manager Thomas Tuchel, asked about his relationship with Harry Kane, and if it is different because he is a 'key player':

"He is of course a key player. There are a lot of them. The most important thing is that the players buy into the idea that we do this tournament as a team and that is the case that makes it special.

"Do they get more attention? I don't know, but they give a lot of attention to the players who are not in the same spotlight. That makes them special, they take care of everyone and that is the spirit in which we attack the tournament."

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

In the coaching world, there is a maxim some believe in - that teams are built in the image of their coaches.

Gareth Southgate was impressively able to steady the ship before pushing them extremely close to glory. He did so in a highly pragmatic manner. His sides didn't create end-to-end affairs as though it might have increased their chances of scoring, it would also have increased the likelihood of them turning the ball over and conceding.

By reducing variance and keeping the game tight, eventually England's quality would shine through. Against top-level quality, their collective tactical ideas could appear undercooked.

When they did go ahead, one critique was they would look to defend their lead rather than build it - just look at the Euro 2020 final as one example.

Thomas Tuchel's appetite for risk is greater. England's substitutes against Croatia were like for like in profile rather than changing the dynamic or balance of the team.

Yes, they looked more fragile than Southgate's side defensively. But it's a trade-off many fans will be willing to accept.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport England reporter in Kansas

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Despite fighting for game time, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka are close away from the pitch too with Saka calling his team-mate his "brother".

Arsenal boss Arteta found ways to get both wingers on the pitch at the same time in 2025-26, which may be something Tuchel opts to do as the World Cup goes on.

Madueke was utilised on the left wing by Arteta, while Saka also featured in the number 10 role as the Gunners lifted the title.

Madueke made 43 appearances last season - scoring eight goals and registering four assists in all competitions - as Arsenal ended their trophy drought.

However, Madueke only started 16 times in the league. Competing with Saka and a knee injury limited the number of times he was picked from the off.

He provided a bright spark for Arsenal in the Champions League final when replacing Saka from the bench in their loss to Paris-St Germain on penalties last month.

And he may have a similar role for his country, if England progress to the latter stages of the World Cup.

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

The most obvious change since Thomas Tuchel's appointment has been his willingness to leave star names out of the squad.

At times during Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate's England had Phil Foden on the left wing, Cole Palmer in attacking midfield and Trent Alexander-Arnold in holding midfield.

Tuchel left all three out of his World Cup squad.

In simple terms, this can be explained as Tuchel taking a system-first approach while Southgate took a player-first approach.

Tuchel decided on a clear system and a set of tactics he wanted to use, then looked at the players who could best carry out the roles he wanted - irrespective of name.

It is one of the reasons Morgan Rogers - more suited to what Tuchel wants from his number 10 - was picked over Foden and Palmer.

Southgate appeared to look at the best individuals he could select before trying to build a system around them, and at times was questioned for shoehorning players into roles they were not perfect fits for.

That is partly why we saw changes to the starting XI and system mid-tournament under Southgate.

Both approaches have proved successful throughout football and come with their own pros and cons.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport England reporter in Kansas

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When Thomas Tuchel named his England squad for the World Cup the German was full of praise for Noni Madueke.

The forward has put in consistently good performances for the Three Lions since Tuchel took charge and the manager said Madueke can be a "difference-maker" before highlighting his "one-on-one ability".

Tuchel has made it clear he wants his England team to play in a style that replicates the physicality of the Premier League.

And that thinking shaped the selection of his squad, with the 52-year-old picking a group of players who are physically robust and powerful runners.

Tuchel has ensured that his gameplan is built around record goalscorer and captain Harry Kane, with the Bayern Munich forward surrounded by wingers who like to run behind the defence to leave space for him to drop deep.

That thinking worked out well with Madueke's four passes to Kane against Croatia the joint most in the England team, matched by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Anthony Gordon started on the opposite flank to Madueke and their energetic performances on the wings was one of the positives of the match for Tuchel's side.

Kane is known for his passing range and when given space the striker attempted a couple of passes to release Madueke behind the Croatia defence.

Madueke had five touches in the opposition box, completed his only dribble of the game and won the penalty to set England on their way.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport England reporter in Kansas

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When Noni Madueke was named in England's starting line-up for their World Cup opener against Croatia it was the latest moment in what has been a dramatic season for the Arsenal winger.

Last summer Madueke completed a move to the Gunners from Chelsea for about £50m, but supporters started a petition against the signing with a #NoToMadueke hashtag being used across social media platforms.

But just under 12 months later, the 24-year-old has become a Premier League winner, after helping Mikel Arteta's side to their first league title in 22 years, and is starting for Thomas Tuchel's England on the right wing.

Madueke was one of England's standout players in the 4-2 win over Croatia and won the penalty which Harry Kane scored to give the Three Lions the lead.

Madueke's Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka had been expected to be England's starting right winger at the World Cup but the 24-year-old is dealing with an Achilles issue he has been carrying since March.

Saka and Madueke find themselves in the unusual situation of competing for game time at both club and country.

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Harry Kane is so special and thankfully he is English. At times, I just want him to stay still because I want him to keep his energy but he is so dangerous when the ball is at his feet, his technical ability is phenomenal.

His aerial presence is just brilliant. He possess so many amazing attribute that is fitting amazingly into this England team.

Chris Sutton
Former England forward's World Cup predictions

I am not getting overly excited about England on the back of one game because I thought they would win this group, and win it comfortably.

Let's get it right, they beat an aging Croatia team. There are a lot of players at this tournament who should be getting testimonials, not playing at a World Cup.

It was still a great win by England and Harry Kane is a brilliant goalscorer - remember when he used to take corners for England? What was that about?

Surprise, surprise, he scores from corners when he is there to get on the end of them - but not every team will leave him as much space to score as Croatia did.

England will have too much for Ghana too, but this group is not the problem for Thomas Tuchel. The tests are going to come later in the tournament.

There was lots to love against Croatia though, from Jude Bellingham to Tuchel's substitutions.

I have got to say how much I enjoy watching Elliott Anderson. I get why Nottingham Forest have put such a big price tag on him, because he never seems to give the ball away.

A question for our audience this morning, which England players do you think will be starting tonight?

Send us your starting XIs that you think Thomas Tuchel could go with against Ghana.

Select the 'Get Involved' button to send in your squad.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

England made a winning start to their World Cup campaign as they overpowered Croatia in a thriller in Dallas.

Thomas Tuchel's side demonstrated strength in attack and frailty in defence, but possessed the firepower to finally overcome Croatia and set the platform for progress in Group L.

Harry Kane put England ahead on 12 minutes with a twice taken spot-kick after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke, Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic saving his first attempt but penalised for encroaching off his goalline.

Croatia, always dangerous opponents, were level after 36 minutes when Martin Baturina sent a powerful drive high past Jordan Pickford, who got a touch but could not keep the ball out.

Kane, inevitably, restored England's lead three minutes before the break with a powerful header from Declan Rice's corner, bringing him level with Gary Lineker on 10 World Cup goals, his 81st in 115 England appearances.

England, however, never looked at ease defensively, Croatia equalising again with a well-worked goal seconds before half-time, Petar Musa steering Ivan Perisic's header beyond Pickford.

Jude Bellingham showed exactly why Tuchel selected him ahead of Morgan Rogers with a powerful run and finish moments after the break as the Three Lions established control once more.

Marcus Rashford, on as a substitute, ended any lingering concerns with a composed finish five minutes from time as England move on to face Ghana in Boston.