England’s World Cup Quest: Tuchel’s Era Shows Promise with Recent Victory and New Talents

New Chapter Under Tuchel’s Leadership

Thomas Tuchel, now at the helm of England’s national team, has named his first squad of the 2025-26 season as the Three Lions continue their campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. The 52-year-old head coach has selected a 24-man group.

This appointment follows Gareth Southgate’s resignation in July 2024, after which Lee Carsley served as interim head coach. Tuchel, who became the third foreign coach in England’s history, officially took charge on January 1, 2025.

Recent Performance and Upcoming Challenges

The Three Lions have already shown promising results, securing a 2-0 victory against Andorra at Villa Park on September 6, 2025. The team’s immediate challenge lies ahead as they prepare to face Serbia at the Stadion Rajko Mitić on September 9, 2025.

Fresh Talent Emerges

The squad has been refreshed with new talent, including first-time senior call-ups for Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. Both players have impressed in their club performances and have previously represented England at the Under-21 level, with Anderson being part of the successful UEFA U21 EURO championship-winning team.

Global Standing and Future Prospects

England currently holds an impressive 4th position in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings as of August 2025, demonstrating their continued prominence in international football. The team continues to compete across three major international tournaments: the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship, and the UEFA Nations League, maintaining their status as one of football’s most prominent national teams.