Five questions we need answers to in England's World Cup warm-up games

England's World Cup campaign is now just around the corner. Thomas Tuchel's side face New Zealand and Costa Rica in their final warm-up matches before opening their tournament against Croatia, and while results will matter little, answers will matter a great deal.

Tuchel has settled on the squad he trusts, despite some controversial omissions and inclusions, but there are still several key selection and tactical dilemmas to resolve. These two friendlies are his final opportunity to do so.

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Who should be England's No.10?

This may be the biggest decision of all.

Jude Bellingham has long been viewed as the automatic choice behind Harry Kane, but Morgan Rogers has emerged as a genuine challenger. Rogers arrives at the tournament after another excellent season and offers a more natural attacking-midfield profile, carrying the ball aggressively and constantly looking to hurt opponents around the penalty area.

Bellingham's pedigree, leadership and knack for decisive moments make him difficult to overlook, but England may ultimately need him elsewhere.

The warm-up games should reveal whether Tuchel sees Rogers as a serious starter or merely an elite squad option.

Who partners Declan Rice?

Rice is one of the first names on the teamsheet. The player alongside him is less certain.

Elliot Anderson appears to have moved into pole position after a superb season. His energy, pressing and all-round midfield game make him a logical fit in Tuchel's system.

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But Kobbie Mainoo still has a compelling case. He is calmer under pressure, tidier in possession and perhaps better suited to controlling games against elite opponents. Anderson brings intensity; Mainoo brings composure.

The friendlies offer Tuchel one final opportunity to determine which quality England need most.

Can Tuchel generate enough creativity?

England already look difficult to play against. Tuchel is as good as it gets when it comes to designing a structural compactness and organisation against which opponents find it hard to create chances. That's an excellent foundation for tournament football.

The lingering concern is whether the German coach possesses enough attacking imagination.

Too often, recent performances have felt controlled rather than creative. England have looked capable of avoiding defeat without always looking capable of overwhelming opponents. With Kane, Rogers, Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and others at his disposal, Tuchel must find a way to make this team more than the sum of its parts.

We know he can build a defence. These games need to show he can unlock an attack.

What's England's best back four?

There are still questions throughout the defence.

Nico O'Reilly has emerged as a serious left-back option and could solve a position that has troubled England for years. At centre-back, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa have arguably been England's most reliable pairing over the past year.

Yet John Stones remains impossible to ignore despite his limited minutes at Manchester City. His experience, quality in possession and tournament pedigree make him a tempting option.

The next two matches should provide the clearest indication yet of Tuchel's preferred defensive unit.

Which Barca boy starts on the left – and who changes games from the bench?

England's left-wing battle is fascinating.

Anthony Gordon arrives after sealing his move to Barcelona and offers work rate, tactical discipline and reliability. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, spent last season on loan at the Camp Nou and provides greater explosiveness, creativity and goal threat.

The decision may ultimately depend on whether Tuchel values structure or spontaneity.

It also feeds into another crucial question: who is England's best impact substitute? Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze all offer something different, and tournament football is often decided by players introduced from the bench rather than those who start.

England's squad is set and the World Cup is almost here. What Tuchel needs now is clarity. These warm-up matches represent his final chance to find it.

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