England manager Thomas Tuchel has called for his squad to be driven by "hunger and excitement" after learning their fate for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face a stern opening test against 2018 finalists Croatia.
Group L Opponents and Fixture Schedule
The Three Lions were placed in Group L during Friday's draw in Washington DC, setting up a heavyweight clash with Zlatko Dalic's Croatia. Completing the group are Panama and Ghana, with England's campaign kicking off on June 17 against Croatia in either Toronto or Dallas.
Their subsequent group matches will see them play Ghana in Boston or Toronto on June 23, before finishing against Panama in New York/New Jersey or Philadelphia on June 27. Exact venues and kick-off times are due to be finalised on Saturday.
Tuchel's Focus on Mindset and Tough Path Ahead
Speaking after the draw, the German head coach emphasised the importance of mentality over the specific opposition. "I think it's most important that you arrive with hunger and with excitement and we arrive as a team," Tuchel stated, reflecting on a flawless qualification campaign.
He acknowledged the difficulty posed by Croatia, a side that beat England in the 2018 semi-finals. "Of course, they are difficult. They're proud, they're full of talent," he said, revealing he likely already had a message from his former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Tuchel also addressed the potential knockout path, which could see group winners face co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City in the last 16, followed by a potential quarter-final against five-time champions Brazil. "What you just said sounded like a pretty, pretty hard tournament," he admitted, while expressing excitement at the prospect of a knockout game in the iconic Azteca Stadium.
Logistical Plans and Captain's Ambition
The draw has forced a rethink of the Football Association's preparatory plans. Tuchel confirmed that a mooted base camp at the University of Kansas now looks likely to be ditched in favour of a more easterly location, with decisions to follow once the schedule is locked in on Saturday.
England captain Harry Kane, speaking to Cleats, set out the team's clear objective: "Of course we're going to try and win it, that's always the aim with England, to try and be champions." He recognised Croatia as a "tough game" based on numerous recent encounters.
Other home nations also discovered their fate. Scotland, in their first finals since 1998, will tackle Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in Group C. The Republic of Ireland, if they navigate March's play-offs, would join co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and South Africa in Group A. Wales or Northern Ireland could reach Group B with Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland.
