England’s World Cup Panini stickers are revealed – including TWO stars who will be left at home, while players from Man United and Chelsea are excluded, in album that will cost hundreds to complete
Thomas Tuchel does not name his England World Cup squad until next month – but could fans gain an insight into who might be on the plane thanks to the latest Panini sticker book?
On Wednesday, Panini launched their FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Sticker Collection – their biggest edition to date due to the tournament’s expansion from 32 teams to 48.
England qualified for the tournament – to be played in Canada, Mexico and the USA – in a flawless manner after winning all eight of their European qualifiers.
And while it’s hard to be definitive about who will make Tuchel’s squad, Panini have had a go and selected 17 players in their sticker book.
Harry Kane, first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and midfield duo Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham all make the publication.
Other Tuchel squad favourites such as Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn (defence), Jordan Henderson, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers (midfield), Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka (forwards) also make the cut.
Harry Kane (left) and Jordan Pickford are in the England squad in the 2026 World Cup Panini book
Regular England midfielders Declan Rice (left) and Jude Bellingham are also in the Panini selection
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers (left) and Ezri Konsa are in contention to start for the Three Lions
Ollie Watkins, who was left out of last month’s squad, is another in the Three Lions’ 17.
The last two places though may raise some eyebrows, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden featuring in Panini’s picks.
Foden’s form has seen many question if he will be selected for the World Cup, with the 25-year-old last used as a substitute.
Alexander-Arnold was left out of England’s 35-man-squad for their last batch of friendlies ahead of the World Cup despite his improved form with Real Madrid.
He has featured just once for Tuchel, in a substitute appearance against Andorra in June last year.
Alexander-Arnold and Foden’s inclusion contrasts with some notable exclusions from Panini.
The biggest omission is Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest star set to be one of the first names in Tuchel’s starting XI.
Speaking in November, Tuchel said of Anderson: ‘He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us.’
Unlikely duo Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) and Phil Foden are in the England list of 17 players picked by Panini
Elliot Anderson (right) is a surprise omission despite being a starter under Thomas Tuchel
As well as Anderson, Chelsea’s Reece James and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo are not in the Panini book, despite looking set to be in Tuchel’s squad.
Overall, there are 980 stickers to collect, including 68 special stickers showcasing the world’s biggest stars and emerging talents.
Collecting all 980 stickers will come at a significant cost though.
One pack contains seven stickers, meaning you’d need 140 packs to complete the Panini book – and that’s hoping you’d have no doubles.
Panini’s website currently advertises packs at £1.25 – based on the price of an individual pack within its multipack offers – meaning that price multiplied by 140 equals a minimum of £175.
Their official hardback album costs £14.99, which takes the total to £189.99 – but again that doesn’t factor in the notion of every pack not featuring any doubles, meaning costs are set to go above £200 at the bare minimum in all likelihood.
