England manager Thomas Tuchel has labeled the Three Lions as “underdogs” for the 2026 World Cup, arguing their decades-long failure to win the tournament puts them behind recent champions like Brazil, France, and Argentina.
Tuchel, who took charge in January, stressed that team unity and cohesion are non-negotiable for success.
“We need to arrive as a team otherwise we have no chance,” he stated, adding that achieving “glue and cohesion” is his main focus in squad selection.
Despite England’s current strong form—ranking fourth globally and reaching consecutive Euros finals—Tuchel maintains the historical drought, combined with the extreme heat expected in North America, justifies his cautious outlook.
The location factor historically favors non-European winners.
England can qualify for the World Cup by beating Latvia in Riga next Tuesday. The team faces Wales in a friendly this week, with Harry Kane sidelined by injury, and notable players Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden omitted from the current squad.
Tuchel’s ultimate goal, set by his 18-month contract, is to lead England to World Cup glory, but he insists they must first embrace the role of the challenger.
