England head coach Thomas Tuchel shared his thoughts on why the Three Lions are not among the top contenders to go all the way at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.
The Three Lions open their campaign for a second title – first in 60 years – against 2018 finalists Croatia in a blockbuster Group L opener at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, on June 17.
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As per Opta supercomputer, Tuchel’s side have the third best chance (11.2%) of going all the way in North America, just behind reigning European champions Spain (16.1%) and France (13.2) but ahead of holders Argentina (10.4%).
Nevertheless, Tuchel looked to downplay pre-tournament hype, explaining that there are stronger ‘proven’ contenders (via talkSPORT journalist Henry Winter):
“We are not top favourites, we can’t be, we haven’t won it for so many years. There are proven winners in the tournament, these are the favourites. But we compete, we dream big, we see ourselves as challengers and we want to go all the way, but we don’t see ourselves as heavy favourites.”
Four years ago in Qatar, Harry Kane and Co. lost 2-1 to holders France in the quarter-finals to bow out. Cruising through their group, Gareth Southgate’s side kept three clean sheets in four games before meeting their match against Les Bleus.
How England fared against Croatia in their last FIFA World Cup meeting
England will draw confidence from their recent record against their first 2026 FIFA World Cup opponents, Croatia, having won four of their last six meetings, including a 1-0 group-stage win at Euro 2020 in their latest clash at a major tournament.
However, the Three Lions won’t have happy memories of their last clash with Luka Modric and Co. at the World Cup. Eight years ago in Russia, Gareth Southgate’s side had reached their first semi-final at the event in nearly three decades but went down 2-1 after extra time.
The 1966 champions had led early at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, through Kieran Trippier’s free-kick opener after five minutes. However, Ivan Perisic levelled proceedings midway through the second period to force extra time, where Mario Mandzukic broke English hearts with a 109th-minute strike, which turned out to be the winner.
England would end their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in the third-place play-off.
Edited by Bhargav