The United academy graduate is confident about England<\/a>\u2019s chances, recently stating the Three Lions can \u201c100% win the World Cup.\u201d Mainoo\u2019s mission now is to fight for a prominent role in England\u2019s stacked midfield<\/a> for the 2026 World Cup. <\/p>\n The only way for Mainoo to achieve this is to take advantage of his opportunities in the lead up to the tournament. Against New Zealand, the midfielder flashed the quality he can offer England this summer, even if it was a rather lackluster performance from Tuchel’s side. <\/p>\n Kobbie Mainoo vs. New Zealand Kobbie Mainoo was solid against New Zealand. | Rich Storry\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The conditions certainly influenced Mainoo and England\u2019s overall performance. The state of the pitch at Raymond James Stadium was less than ideal, as was the extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Farenheit. Still, playing against a much weaker opponent, the Three Lions were expected to dominate.<\/p>\n Tuchel deployed Mainoo alongside Jordan Henderson in England\u2019s midfield pivot, with the veteran to his right anchoring the team, granting him slightly more freedom to roam as a left-side No. 8. <\/p>\n With New Zealand sitting back, England dominated possession, and Mainoo was a key reason for that, with the game played at his tempo for long stretches. The United star recycled possession with ease, and by the time the 20 minute mark hit, Mainoo and Henderson had completed more passes combined than the entirety of New Zealand\u2019s team. <\/p>\n Mainoo\u2019s ability to evade pressure stood out, constantly dancing past opponents that dared press him with quick feet, utilizing just one or two touches to keep the ball moving. The highlight of Mainoo’s performance came when he was put under pressure by two players near his own penalty area, but he calmly escaped the situation with a sweet back-heel pass to free Djed Spence down the sideline. <\/p>\n Harry Kane (left) scored England\u2019s winner vs. New Zealand. | Rich Storry\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The fact that Mainoo\u2019s best moment came on a play almost 100 yards away from New Zealand’s box is telling, though. England as a whole struggled to create clear chances, and possessions were often slow and predictable. Whenever Mainoo looked to thread a pass between the lines or float a dangerous cross, he more often than not was intercepted, or he lacked accuracy in his deliveries. <\/p>\n Nevertheless, Mainoo\u2019s movement off the ball was extremely sharp. It\u2019s clear Tuchel ordered him to exploit the space Harry Kane often leaves behind the backline whenever he drops deep into midfield, dragging a defender. Mainoo crashed the box regularly and likely could\u2019ve scored from a cross had Morgan Rogers not obstructed his view of the ball. <\/p>\n There\u2019s nobody Mainoo can blame but himself when he squandered the best chance he had to leave a mark on the game. He arrived perfectly to the edge of the penalty area, and his first touch set him up for a lovely look on goal; however, his shot was skiied over the crossbar. <\/p>\n Still, overall it was a fine performance from Mainoo where he handled his business well. He participated in the possession that led to Kane\u2018s match-winner on the verge of halftime, and he was the team\u2019s main organizer for much of the first half. <\/p>\n Tuchel then deployed an entirely different XI for the second half, with Elliot Anderson replacing Mainoo and having a very similar performance. <\/p>\n Kobbie Mainoo vs. New Zealand Stats Snapshot<\/p>\n Statistic<\/p>\n Tally<\/p>\n Touches<\/p>\n 47<\/p>\n Chances Created<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n Accurate Passes<\/p>\n 33\/37 (89%)<\/p>\n Passes Into The Final Third<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Defensive Contributions<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Recoveries<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n Ground Duels Won<\/p>\n 4\/4 (100%)<\/p>\n Fouls Committed <\/p>\n 0<\/p>\n Was Fouled<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n![\"Kobbie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01ktfddt5z37cw0ntjr4.jpg\" "\\"Kobbie")
<\/p>\n![\"Harry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01ktff90b1wvd84pcbxx.jpg\" "\\"Harry")
<\/p>\n
![\"Kobbie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01ktffqnfpr2m3567ne2.jpg\" "\\"Kobbie")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google