Thomas Tuchel has issued a sobering warning about England’s chances at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that the Three Lions will enter the tournament as “underdogs” unless they can truly unite as a cohesive team. The German manager emphasized that past performances, talent, and rankings alone will not be enough to secure success on football’s biggest stage.
England have consistently performed well in recent European tournaments, reaching consecutive European Championship finals. However, their record in World Cups has been less impressive since their solitary triumph in 1966. The men’s national team has failed to advance past the semi-finals in any World Cup for more than five decades, and their quarter-final exit at the 2022 edition against France underlined the challenges that remain.
The Three Lions are set to qualify for next year’s World Cup in North America if they secure a victory over Latvia in Riga on Tuesday. Yet Tuchel remains pragmatic about the road ahead.
“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.
Tuchel, who took charge of England in January 2025, has enjoyed a strong start to his tenure, winning five of his six matches so far, with only a friendly defeat to Senegal blemishing his record. At 52, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager has quickly emphasized team unity as the foundation for success.
Speaking about his current squad selections during the international break, Tuchel highlighted the importance of cohesion. “We try to collect the guys who, in the end, have the glue and cohesion to be the best team because we need to arrive [at the World Cup] with the best team,” he explained. With just two international camps remaining before the World Cup, the focus is on preparing a tight-knit, battle-ready squad.
Tuchel’s appointment came with a clear objective: to guide England toward World Cup glory. “If you've never won Wimbledon, you may be one of the favourites, but you are not the favourite,” he remarked, drawing an analogy to managing expectations. He acknowledged the dominance of traditional powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and France, noting their recent successes on the world stage.
Despite the underdog label, Tuchel is confident in his team’s potential. “It doesn’t mean we have no chance, and we know very well. First, we will qualify, and then we will know exactly why we go there,” he added. England will soon face Wales in a friendly and Latvia in a World Cup qualifier, providing Tuchel another opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the tournament.
However, the squad selection has already sparked discussion. Regulars under former manager Gareth Southgate, including Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, were left out of Tuchel’s latest squad, while Reece James is sidelined with an injury. England’s talisman, Harry Kane, will miss the friendly against Wales due to a foot issue but is expected to return for the qualifier against Latvia.
Maintaining the close-knit team spirit established under Southgate is a key priority for Tuchel. Former captain Steven Gerrard has previously noted that Southgate’s era produced a unity lacking in the ‘Golden Generation’ of English football. Tuchel echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of building a cohesive group capable of performing under intense tournament pressure.
“We build a team that is ready to go step by step and play as a team, and no one wants hopefully to play against us. When I hear people talking about their titles in international football or their missed chances, it is always the same song: we have been a team or we haven’t been a team,” he said.
Tuchel’s assessment of England as underdogs is grounded in historical context. The men’s side have not won a major trophy since 1966, while other footballing giants have amassed multiple World Cup victories. Since England’s lone triumph, six different nations have lifted the trophy, with Brazil, Germany, and Italy dominating the record books.
Yet in terms of current form, England cannot be dismissed lightly. Ranked fourth in the world behind Spain, France, and Argentina, they lead their World Cup qualifying group with a perfect record. Recent European Championship campaigns, including two finals appearances, further underline the team’s quality.
Where Tuchel’s underdog assessment becomes more compelling is in the environmental conditions expected at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Extreme heat could challenge European teams unaccustomed to such climates. Historically, only a few European sides have won World Cups outside Europe—Spain in 2010 and Germany in 2014—highlighting the potential obstacles England may face.
With stadium cooling systems and late kick-offs potentially mitigating the heat, England’s prospects remain cautiously optimistic. Tuchel’s pragmatic approach serves as a reminder that talent alone will not suffice; team unity, adaptability, and mental resilience will be crucial as the Three Lions aim to break a decades-long trophy drought.
As England prepares for its World Cup journey, the message from Tuchel is clear: the path to glory is never straightforward, and only a united, determined squad can overcome the challenges that lie ahead. While they may be labeled underdogs, Tuchel’s men have the skill, strategy, and potential to defy expectations and reignite England’s hopes on football’s grandest stage.
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