Alan Shearer Exclusive: Saka selection conundrum and England v Croatia prediction

England must make strong start at World Cup

It is really important that England get off to a good start against Croatia in the World Cup on Wednesday. They're among the last teams to play in matchday one, so they've got to wait six days and watch every other team. That will be a little bit frustrating. But to get off to a good start would be great and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. 

Ideally, you'd like an impressive winning performance from the opener. But the most important thing is the result. If you can play well and use the energy then great.

That's why it's really difficult to take too much from friendlies because in the back of your mind, when you're playing in a friendly, there's a little bit of protection there because you want to be 100% fit for the first game at the finals.

England are better off missing Saka now than later

If Bukayo Saka is out of the first game then it is a big blow to England. But they're better off being without him now rather than deeper into the tournament. He could be a big player at this World Cup.

It's always great to get off to a good start, whether that's as an individual or more importantly as a team.

I hope Saka starts against Croatia but I don't know if he is 100 per cent fit. If there's any doubt then Thomas Tuchel won't risk him. He shouldn't be missed too much in the group games because we should win them all.

Madueke would not have been in my England squad

I've said before that I would have had four or five different players in the squad. But it's not my squad. We have to understand that Tuchel's picked a squad for a reason, and we've got to back him. 

Madueke wouldn't have been in my squad but he's there now and he believes that he deserves to be there. So we've got to back him. He's got a great opportunity to play in the first game. And if he plays well and scores then he will give the manager a problem. 

It might come back to haunt Tuchel that he hasn't taken Cole Palmer or Phil Foden. They're brilliant players and they could add a little bit of quality, but they didn't have great seasons.

I'd pick Gordon over Rashford 

I'm always reluctant to take too much from friendlies but confidence, belief, and fitness are important things to take from them and we've got that. It looks as if there's harmony in the squad. 

We're all still guessing over maybe two or three positions but England look ready to go. Costa Rica were poor in the second friendly but, in terms of an all-round performance, England's energy was good and so was the understanding between the players. It was good to see the Arsenal boys back and Declan Rice scoring. Everyone put a shift in.

Anthony Gordon was really impressive against Costa Rica. After his goal and assist, he was the one to come out of it well. I would swap Gordon and Rashford from my original starting line up now.

I would go in with Saka if he's fit, Kane up top and Gordon on the left. Gordon looked lively and sharp, full of confidence on the back of his move to Barcelona. So that's the reason I would start Gordon, although there is not a lot between him and Rashford. 

Rogers gets my vote over Bellingham

I would still go with Rogers over Bellingham in the number 10 role. But if Saka's not going to be fit, Tuchel has also got the option of playing Rogers on the right as well.

If everyone's fit, I would still go with Saka on the right and Rogers behind Harry Kane.

Kane loves being England's main man 

Kane loves the pressure that comes with having to score England's goals and he'll enjoy it at this World Cup. 

We are going to be reliant on him and if England are to go deep into the tournament, we need him to score the goals.

Every country, or most countries, will have the big hitter who propels them to challenge for the World Cup. For England, that's Kane.

Alan Shearer's England v Croatia prediction

I predict that we'll beat Croatia 2-1 with Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon scoring the goals. 

Notable winners on Betting.Betfair so far at the 2026 World Cup...

- Mark Stinchcombe's stunning 38/139.00 Bet Builder in South Korea v Czechia
- Paul Higham's 9/25.50 Bet Builder in Mexico's MD1 defeat of South Africa
- Paul also tipped 13/53.60 (Canada v Bosnia) & 15/82.88 (Brazil v Morocco) draws
- A 6/17.00 winning ACCA for Mark on Sunday at the World Cup

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