Wayne Rooney believes England currently lacks the necessary assurance to secure the 2026 World Cup trophy. His comments followed a narrow 2-1 victory over DR Congo, which required two late goals from Harry Kane to progress through the round of 32.
The former Manchester United forward expressed significant worry regarding the team’s defensive structure, noting that they leave themselves vulnerable whenever they surrender possession. Rooney highlighted poor synergy between the midfield and the defensive line, alongside struggles from the full-backs and Noni Madueke. He warned that Thomas Tuchel must address these tactical gaps immediately to avoid elimination against more formidable opponents.
England’s next challenge is a round-of-16 tie against co-hosts Mexico this coming Monday. The Mexican side, led by Javier Aguirre, remains undefeated and has yet to allow a goal in the tournament. Should England advance, they will likely face a quarter-final match against Brazil.
