England manager Thomas Tuchel has declared his team will "be brave enough to dream" of lifting the World Cup in 2026, issuing a bullish statement on the eve of the tournament draw in Washington DC.
A Surge in Confidence Ahead of the Draw
Speaking ahead of Friday's draw, the German coach revealed he is more confident of success now than when he took the job at the start of the year. This belief stems from a flawless qualifying campaign, where England secured eight wins from eight matches without conceding a single goal.
Tuchel emphasised that while victory cannot be promised, the nation demands a team that fights with everything it has. "Everyone knows that we cannot promise that we win it," he said. "But they want to see a team spirit, a team that gives everything and fights for each other. If the players bring that then I think anything is possible."
No Fear, No Favours in Group Selection
Adopting a "bring it on" mentality, Tuchel insisted there is no opponent he wishes to avoid in the draw for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He cited superstitious lessons from his past in German academy football, warning against the arrogance of seeking an easier path.
"Absolutely not," he replied when asked if he had a preferred group. "I think if you wish for something and think you are superior, it's close to arrogance and you don't want to be arrogant. We want to respect everyone." This philosophy extends to a potential group-stage clash with Scotland, which Tuchel said would simply be "a nice story."
Preparing for North American Challenges
Tuchel acknowledged the significant logistical and environmental challenges awaiting in North America, from extreme heat and humidity to long travel distances and potential weather delays. He stressed that overcoming these hurdles is primarily a matter of mindset rather than purely physical preparation.
One radical tactical adaptation could see substitutes kept in air-conditioned dressing rooms until needed to preserve their energy, a method Tuchel observed at last summer's Club World Cup. "If this is what helps us later in the match when they come on … OK, we consider that as a possibility," he stated, while admitting he would prefer to have his entire squad on the bench.
The manager's impact has been praised by FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who noted the "brilliant energy" Tuchel has brought to the camp and the positive response from players. Bullingham confirmed the FA's logistics team is ready to secure an optimal training base immediately after the draw, with Kansas City a preferred central location and a pre-tournament camp planned in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
As the football world's attention turns to the draw, Tuchel's message is clear: England, armed with renewed belief and a collective spirit, are not just participants—they are contenders ready to chase the dream.
