Is the appointment of an elite manager the missing piece in England's World Cup jigsaw?

Analysis

By Henry Winter for World Soccer in the 2026 World Cup Special, May 2026.

This time? More than any other time? The hope that comes with following England never fades. It never gets fulfilled, of course – well, not since 1966. You’d need to be nearly 70 to remember that golden day and golden team.

But this time? Why not? England fans always go into World Cups with a song of hope on their lips and clutching a lottery ticket of belief. One day. It could be you.

History is against England. They have found many ways to throw it away at World Cups: penalties at Italia ’90; a red card (David Beckham) and penalties at France ’98; injuries before 2002 (Beckham) and during it (Michael Owen); another red card (Wayne Rooney) and penalties at 2006; even a missed spot-kick from an expert taker (Harry Kane) in 2022. So many ways to leave a tournament: outclassed by better players in 2010 (Mesut Ozil), 2014 (Luis Suarez) and 2018 (Luka Modric).

Petulance and penalties, injuries and occasional injustices, cliques and controversies. The story of England at World Cups has been one of chaos and heartache.

The difference now is that Thomas Tuchel brings calm and nous. He brings in-game management. He bring trophy-winning pedigree. He brings genuine hope.

Tuchel owes plenty to his predecessor. Gareth Southgate rebuilt the squad, broke up the club cliques, deepened the talent pool, restored relations between dressing-room and pressroom, and removed the fear in taking penalties. Tuchel would not have a chance of constructing something noteworthy in the United States, Mexico and Canada without Southgate first laying the foundations. Tuchel has so much exceptional playing material to work with, players who love reporting for duty, desperate to deliver. Tuchel even has strength in depth at left-back, something Southgate never had.

The main impediment to England advancing in the competition is any misfortune befalling Kane. England’s record scorer is the most difficult player to replace. A mission impossible, really. Tuchel does have alternative options – Ollie Watkins and Danny Welbeck have pushed their cases with their club form, while widemen Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon can also play through the middle – but none of them are Kane.

Tuchel also has to believe totally in Jude Bellingham. If England are to prosper, the Real Madrid man has to start at No.10. He’s world class, a game-changer – as he proved at Euro 2024.

With this calibre of players, and this coach, England could go far. Tuchel was brought in at great expense to deliver the World Cup. It’s a tall order, especially with other teams – Argentina, France, Spain – arguably offering more. A semifinal might be the limit of England’s ambitions, but they will still arrive in the US hoping and praying that it will be this time.

Thomas Tuchel's view

Can England do well at the World Cup?

I have total belief in the players. I strongly believe in the players, and the question will be, why not? Everything is possible, but we have to make it possible. We will not let go of our dream. We will not let go of the question: “Why not?”

The friendly performances in March against Uruguay and Japan were not impressive. Is that a matter of concern?

Once you arrive in June in the US, you don’t think any more what you did in March. You play knockout football, when it matters, and we will be ready. Brazil lost in March [to France] but they will be ready in June.

You missed Harry Kane in those spring friendlies. How important is he?

In the absence of Harry Kane, we don’t have the same threat. Bayern Munich, in the absence of Harry Kane, do not have the same threat; no team in the world has the same threat. It’s just normal.

Phil Foden has so much talent but rarely produces for England, and struggled as a false nine in your last game in March…

He tried everything. I would say he was excellent in camp but he struggles to show it on the pitch. Obviously he didn’t have a lot of minutes for [Manchester] City recently, then he came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training. And I thought he will just surprise us and will play with the same verve and excitement, but he struggled to have the full impact.

England will arrive early in the United States for a training camp and two friendlies in Florida. What do you learn from friendlies?

I learn all the time. I learn from every training session. I learn from how the squad is together and I learn from how the players react to the game plan and how they adapt – how quickly they learn, how quickly they adapt and how they put it on the pitch. Everything is a learning.

John Stones struggled for fitness before Euro 2024, but then travelled and played every game. Will you back him for the World Cup?

He has a lot of credit in the bank with me. He is a key player for me as a starter or coming off the bench. His quality, his mentality and the personality, how he is, he is a big part of my plans still. But like everyone, he has to be fit.

The English season is long and hard. Is that why you rested some players in March, to help keep them fresh for the World Cup this summer?

I see that the likes of Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson have more minutes than they had in the whole of last season.

Then I look at their schedule and consider: “Will Morgan Rogers get a rest at Aston Villa with them in the Europa League and fighting for a Champions League [place]?” Absolutely not. And that is fair. I would not rest him if I was his coach.

Tactics - The No.10 conundrum

Thomas Tuchel has a settled system, 4-2-3-1, and a fairly settled selection built during an unchallenging World Cup qualifying campaign. England’s spine is well-established and strong, leading from Jordan Pickford in goal, through Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa or John Stones at centre-back, Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice in midfield, Morgan Rogers or Jude Bellingham at No.10 with Harry Kane the focal point and finisher. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon will flank Kane with width also provided by the full-backs; on the right Reece James, as long as he’s fit, and Lewis Hall or Nico O’Reilly on the left.

The latter position, along with who plays as the No.10, provides the biggest headache in terms of team selection.

Tactically, Tuchel has promised to play a game of high intensity and high pressing, which seems a risk when England play in venues with high temperatures. The Three Lions will also be a threat from corners. Arsenal have been criticised for their use of set-pieces, but that will be forgotten if the in-swinging deliveries of Rice (from the left) and Saka (from the right) can produce the goods for the national team. Chelsea captain James is also capable of a wicked dead-ball delivery.

Another trump card could be bench strength – England have plenty of talent in reserve to change games late on.

The View From England

“Tuchel might just be a game-changer because of his experience and track record. You can point to him taking over at Chelsea mid-season and then winning the Champions League. The weather and travel are a challenge. But England know their potential, and recent disappointments and near misses can be an inspiration.” - John Cross, Daily Mirror chief football writer

“England’s chances at the World Cup rest on Harry Kane. If he can stay fit, England can be very competitive. They have a great coach in Thomas Tuchel and an impeccable record in qualifying. But without Kane, England have no goal threat, not much leadership and no chance at all.” - Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic

The Coach

The engaging German has scarcely put a foot wrong since becoming England’s head coach at the start of 2025. His one mistake was some ill-judged words about Jude Bellingham, although some observers believe he was sending a message to the Real Madrid man about team before self.

England players like Tuchel because of his reputation as a dynamic, trophy-winning manager. They like his enthusiasm and individuality. He’s also enjoying life in London, which partly explains his willingness to extend his contract to 2028 when approached by the FA.