Thomas Tuchel plans to seek advice from Gareth Southgate and Lee Carsley as he prepares to lead England’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel, the newly appointed England head coach, has signed an 18-month contract that begins on January 1. His goal is clear: to secure a second World Cup title for England.
England’s qualification group includes Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra. The group winners will secure an automatic spot in the tournament, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While Tuchel is a highly respected club coach, he is new to international football. He intends to consult with Southgate, who stepped down after leading England to a second consecutive European Championship final, and Carsley, who managed the team during the Nations League campaign.
Tuchel expressed admiration for Southgate and emphasized the importance of collaboration. He plans to meet with Southgate and Carsley to discuss squad selection, the team’s potential, and their experiences. Tuchel believes Carsley’s insights, as the under-21 coach, will be particularly valuable. These discussions will take place at St. George’s Park, where Tuchel hopes to establish regular and productive exchanges.
England’s qualification campaign begins in March. Although England has historically performed well against their Group K opponents, Tuchel cautioned against complacency. He emphasized the need for seriousness and determination, noting the potential challenges posed by Serbia and Albania. England’s only previous encounter with Serbia as a single nation resulted in a narrow victory at the Euros, while Albania has been a familiar opponent in World Cup qualifiers. Latvia represents a new challenge, and Andorra, while considered underdogs, has also faced England in recent campaigns.
Tuchel acknowledged the narrowing gap between traditionally strong teams and smaller nations, citing recent tournaments as evidence of this trend. He stressed the importance of earning England’s place at the top of the group through hard work and focus.
In addition to strategizing for the qualifiers, Tuchel plans to reach out to Arsenal defender Ben White about a potential return to the national team. White has not played for England since leaving the 2022 World Cup early and is currently recovering from a minor knee operation. Tuchel emphasized the importance of a fresh start and clear communication with all players.
Tuchel also confirmed that Harry Kane will remain England’s captain, citing Kane’s leadership qualities and previous success in the role. Having managed Kane at Bayern Munich, Tuchel expressed confidence in the striker’s ability to continue as a strong leader for the national team.
Reflecting on the possibility of another winter World Cup, Tuchel noted that many international coaches appreciated the timing of the Qatar tournament, as players were fresher in the middle of the season. However, he acknowledged that such a schedule would likely face resistance from clubs and domestic leagues.
Tuchel’s tenure begins with a clear focus on securing qualification and building a team capable of competing at the highest level. His collaborative approach, combined with his extensive club experience, signals a determined start to his role as England’s head coach.
