Thomas Tuchel Urges England to Dream of World Cup Glory Ahead of 2026 Finals Draw

England Manager Inspires Confidence Before Historic Draw

Thomas Tuchel says his England players will be “brave enough to dream” they can win next summer’s World Cup. As England and Scotland will learn their group stage opponents on Friday at the finals draw in Washington DC, the German manager has expressed growing optimism about the Three Lions’ chances at the 2026 tournament.

Tuchel was appointed in the autumn of 2024 with the sole mission of adding a second star to the England shirt to add to the one marking the 1966 World Cup. Since taking charge, the manager has overseen an impressive campaign, with England making it eight wins from eight games in their FIFA 2027 World Cup qualifying group, with a 2-0 victory over Albania marking their perfect record.

Tactical Advantages and Tournament Preparations

England enter the draw with significant advantages. Tuchel’s men have been handed an advantage already by FIFA’s introduction of a Wimbledon-style seeding system, which means they cannot meet Spain or Argentina until the semis or France until the final, should all four countries win their respective groups. This favourable seeding provides England with a clearer path through the tournament’s early stages.

When asked about his confidence levels compared to his initial appointment, Tuchel told BBC Sport: “Yes, because we have got better. The manager has been exploring innovative approaches to tackle the challenges of competing in North America, including extreme heat conditions expected during the tournament.

Unconventional Strategies for Tournament Success

England manager, Thomas Tuchel, has suggested he might keep his substitutes in the dressing room during next summer’s World Cup matches to protect them from extreme heat. Tuchel is prepared to do whatever it takes to win, including giving consideration to keeping his substitutes in the dressing room to stay cool, a tactic employed by some teams at the Club World Cup in the US last summer.

The England boss emphasised that whilst unconventional, such measures would only be considered if they benefit the team’s performance. He told ITV Sport: “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.” With Friday’s draw set to reveal England’s group stage opponents, Tuchel’s message is clear: England will dare to dream, and they will be brave enough to chase World Cup glory in 2026.