Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold: England's World Cup Opener Is Missing Its Stars and Nobody Is Ready For It

Alright, football fanatics, gather 'round because you are NOT going to believe what's going down for the 2026 World Cup opener! We're talking about the biggest stage in sports, the Three Lions kicking off their campaign against Croatia, and the lineup just hit. Hold onto your hats because this is a bombshell: some of England's biggest names, their absolute stars, are nowhere to be found on the starting sheet. Seriously, my jaw just hit the floor in the Emerald City. How do you even prepare for a World Cup when your best aren't on the pitch from minute one? This is a massive shake-up before the tournament even truly begins.

Where's the Lion's Roar? England's Lineup Shockers

When you're rolling into the World Cup opener, you expect all hands on deck, right? Nope, not for England today! Bukayo Saka, a player who can change a game in an instant, isn't starting against Croatia. And it doesn't stop there. Eberechi Eze isn't starting either, leaving fans scratching their heads. But wait, there's more! Phil Foden isn't playing. Can you believe it? One of their most dynamic talents, sidelined for the biggest game of their year, maybe their career! Marcus Rashford is also not starting, and to top it all off, Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't playing for England at all in this 2026 World Cup opener. That's a whole lot of firepower missing. It's truly wild to think about England, a team often known for its deep talent pool, having so many key players out for such a crucial match. And get this: England is among the teams with the fewest players born overseas in this World

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Cup, but they still have one player who was born outside Albion. Go figure.

World Cup Chaos Beyond England

While England grapples with its missing stars, there's drama unfolding across the entire World Cup. It's not just England facing absences either. Over on the Croatian side, veteran Ivan Rakitic won't play at the 2026 World Cup. He's a huge name for them, so that's a tough blow for their opener too! Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo's big 2026 World Cup debut for Portugal was spoiled right out of the gate, ending in a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo. You know he's not happy about that kind of start. On a more emotional note, the legendary Lionel Messi was actually in tears after scoring his first goal for Argentina in this 2026 World Cup. You just love to see that kind of raw passion from the greats! Oh, and for some random trivia, Nico Williams and Inaki Williams are indeed brothers, if you were wondering. And if you’re curious about the other matches, Ghana vs. Panama is playing today, with all the details on the city, stadium, weather, and attendance available. The World Cup is already delivering some wild moments! So, what does this all mean for England against Croatia? The stakes couldn't be higher. What happens if England wins, ties, or loses this game today could set the entire tone for their 2026 World Cup journey. This isn't just one game, folks, it's the start of everything. Can they overcome these truly massive absences and get a result? Or will these lineup shocks derail their tournament before it even gets going? The whole world is watching this opener, and England has to deliver despite the odds. It's going to be an absolutely wild ride, so buckle up, World Cup fans!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.