Thomas Tuchel is determined to lead England to success at the upcoming World Cup. England has already secured its place as the first European team to qualify for the 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 teams.
The draw for the tournament is set to take place in Washington D.C., and England is currently ranked third in terms of winning probability, with an 11.8% chance according to Opta’s supercomputer.
The Opta supercomputer predicts that France and Spain have better chances than England, with probabilities of 14.1% and 17.0%, respectively. These predictions were released ahead of the draw scheduled for Friday, December 5th, in North America. The anticipation is building as teams prepare for this expanded edition of the World Cup.
Tuchel remains optimistic about England’s prospects. When asked about his confidence level, he told BBC Sport: “Yes, because we have got better. We have to arrive and try to make a special thing happen, but we cannot guarantee it.” His approach has evolved since taking over from Gareth Southgate, who led England to two consecutive Euros finals.
Tuchel acknowledges that while victory cannot be promised, he emphasises the importance of team spirit and effort. In an interview with ITV Sport, he stated: “Everyone knows that we cannot promise that we will win it, but they want to see a team, team spirit, a team that gives everything [and] fights for each other and they want that if they are in the stadium or watching on the TV.”
Despite initial criticism for his pragmatic style, Tuchel’s strategies have started paying off against less challenging opponents recently. He believes that if players show determination and unity on the field, achieving something remarkable is within reach.
The journey ahead is challenging yet promising for England under Tuchel’s guidance. With a focus on teamwork and courage, there is hope for a memorable performance at next year’s World Cup.