Tuchel’s frank assessment: England as underdogs
Thomas Tuchel has framed England’s prospects for the 2026 World Cup in stark terms, saying the Three Lions will arrive as underdogs and will have “no chance” of glory unless the squad unites as a cohesive, purpose-built unit. While England have reached European Championship finals in recent years, their World Cup record remains elusive since their 1966 triumph. Tuchel’s comments come amid a busy international window designed to pick the final pieces of a squad capable of competing in North America.
Why the underdog label matters
Tuchel argues that England’s lack of a World Cup title for decades puts them in a category where belief and teamwork must compensate for anything missing from past campaigns. “We will arrive as underdogs in the World Cup because we haven’t won it for decades, and we will play against teams who have repeatedly won it during that time, so we need to arrive as a team otherwise we have no chance,” he said. The message is clear: in a tournament where experience and history often shape outcomes, unity could be the decisive edge England need to navigate a field of multiple reigning and former champions.
Building the right group: unity over individual talent
Tuchel has emphasized the importance of chemistry, saying the aim is to assemble a group that “glue and cohesion” that translates onto the pitch. With England’s coach having led the squad through three preparation camps, his approach centers on selecting players who can form a resilient collective. He has stressed that the team must arrive at the World Cup with the strongest possible unit, rather than chasing star power alone.
Current squad selections and absentees
As England prepare for friendlies and qualifiers, Tuchel is reshaping the squad’s balance. In his latest selection, he has omitted Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from the camp, while Reece James has withdrawn due to injury. Captain Harry Kane, who has carried the scoring burden for England in recent campaigns, will miss the Wales friendly due to a foot issue but is expected to be fit for the Latvia qualifier. This period provides a critical opportunity to test options and refine the core group ahead of the World Cup voyage.
Road to North America: timing and terrain
England need to seal qualification for the 2026 tournament, and a win against Latvia in Riga would secure their place in North America. Tuchel notes that climate and scheduling will be factors in the tournament’s opening phase. The World Cup is set to be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with heat and long travel times potentially testing teams from Europe more than those in familiar conditions. He suggests that while European teams have historically dominated at home, the Americas present a different challenge that England must adapt to if they are to collect a first World Cup title in over six decades.
What success would look like for England
Tuchel’s framework is pragmatic: qualify first, then push deeper into the tournament by leveraging team unity, tactical discipline, and collective resolve. The 52-year-old manager has already guided England to five wins in six competitive matches, restoring a sense of momentum after a recent period of mixed results. The question remains whether this momentum can be channeled into a sustained Utopia on the global stage, especially in a format where a single bad spell can end a campaign.
Looking ahead
As England prepare for the Wales friendly and the Latvia qualifier, Tuchel’s insistence on a cohesive, step-by-step buildup mirrors the broader philosophy of building a squad that can endure the pressures of a World Cup cycle. Whether England truly remain underdogs or can rewrite expectations will depend on the ability of players to gel under sustained pressure, adapt to the realities of the tournament and prove that the “best team” is more than the sum of its parts.
