England's World Cup Opener: Pundits Share Starting XI Predictions for Croatia Match

England's World Cup campaign is set to commence with an opening match against Croatia on June 17 at 21:00 BST in Dallas. Thomas Tuchel will be responsible for selecting the Three Lions' starting XI for this highly anticipated fixture.

Ahead of the game, several BBC Sport pundits have shared their ideal starting lineups. Former England defender Micah Richards selected Jordan Pickford as goalkeeper, with a defense featuring Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi, and Nico O'Reilly. In midfield, Richards opted for Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice, placing Jude Bellingham in the number 10 role. His attacking trio included Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane upfront. Richards specifically praised Guehi's form for Crystal Palace and Manchester City this season and Stones' ability to dictate play at an international level.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart emphasized the importance of a well-balanced team for the tournament's outset. He noted the depth of the squad, suggesting that significant changes could be made between games due to the quality of players available.

Paul Robinson, another former England goalkeeper, stated his belief that Jude Bellingham should start, citing the midfielder's performances in warm-up games. Robinson also suggested a defensive pairing of Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi, though he expects John Stones to feature. The article also notes that Jude Bellingham will wear the number 10 shirt for the World Cup.

(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)