England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a sobering World Cup warning, insisting his team is far from the finished article despite a flawless qualifying campaign that has installed them as one of the favourites for next summer's tournament.
The Qualification Perfection
The Three Lions completed an impeccable road to the 2025 World Cup in North America, securing eight consecutive victories without conceding a single goal. This dominant performance, featuring the attacking prowess of Harry Kane, the world-class midfield presence of Jude Bellingham, and the creative supply of Bukayo Saka, has positioned England among the elite contenders like Spain, France, and Argentina.
Tuchel's Candid Assessment
Despite the perfect record, Tuchel was quick to temper expectations. He revealed the intense personal connection he has forged with the squad, admitting the impending four-month break is a source of genuine pain. "It hurts me honestly," Tuchel confessed. "I told the players, I have to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year now. I cannot believe it and in my heart, everything in me wants to be with you guys on Wednesday again on the sidelines and fight and Saturday again."
He emphasised that the limited time for preparation in international football means perfection is unattainable. "We have to accept as a staff that not everything can be perfect," he stated, highlighting the challenge of having sometimes just one-and-a-half training sessions to prepare for matches.
The Road to the World Cup Draw
Attention now turns to the World Cup draw in Washington on December 5, where England will learn their group-stage opponents and finalise their base camp, with Kansas City a preferred option. The team is also set for two preparatory friendlies in Florida next June.
Tuchel will attend coaches' meetings in Washington, where issues like 26-man squad sizes, water breaks, and substitute rules for the scorching US temperatures will be discussed. However, the England boss is pessimistic about influencing change, citing previous experience where coaches' ideas were "very rarely" listened to.
Ultimately, Tuchel's pride in his players' commitment is palpable. He praised their "outstanding" attitude and work rate, which remained unwavering even after qualification was secured. While he hopes England can strike fear into their opponents, his immediate focus is on the hard work ahead to transform a perfect qualifier into a world-beating tournament team.
