Tuchel says England will be ‘underdogs’ at 2026 World Cup
England will approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup as underdogs, with head coach Thomas Tuchel emphasizing the necessity of team cohesion over individual talent to succeed in North America. Tuchel, who recently announced a squad for upcoming fixtures excluding several established players, stated England must build a unified side to have any chance of winning, despite their status as one of the tournament contenders.
Tuchel acknowledged England’s recent consistency in major tournaments, having reached at least the quarterfinals in the last four World Cups and European Championships. However, he tempered expectations by citing historical precedents and the success of other nations as reasons England should not be viewed as favorites. “We will arrive as underdogs in the World Cup because we haven’t won it for decades, and we will face teams who have repeatedly won during that time,” Tuchel said.
The German coach rejected the idea of selecting only the most talented players, instead focusing on those who contribute to team chemistry and 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 with the best team,” he explained. His strategic approach highlights a preference for collective strength and tactical discipline over assembling a star-studded squad.
Tuchel pointed to England’s underdog mentality as a potential advantage, recalling the 2018 World Cup when the team reached the semifinals under Gareth Southgate with a similar mindset. He warned against the pressure of being labeled favorites and urged a step-by-step progression through the competition.
Drawing comparisons to traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and France—countries with recent World Cup success—Tuchel stressed the importance of qualification first and building momentum thereafter. “Why should we burden ourselves with ‘we are the big favourites, if we don’t win it, it’s a disaster’? When was the last time we won it?” he said.
The comments come amid broader discussions about England’s pursuit of a major international trophy since 1966 and challenges faced by past generations. Tuchel underscored that success comes from unity, echoing sentiments from former captain Steven Gerrard about the pitfalls of discord and ego within international squads.
England now prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers with a squad shaped around this philosophy. Tuchel’s approach signals a pragmatic, team-oriented strategy aimed at overcoming historical challenges and forging a collective identity capable of contending against football’s elite on the world stage.