Three Lions boss says belief remains strong but warns success will require hard work, discipline and managing expectations ahead of 2026 campaign
Image:.BBC
Thomas Tuchel has urged caution over expectations surrounding England’s World Cup 2026 campaign, saying the team cannot be considered among the outright favourites due to their long wait for major tournament success.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the England manager said there are “proven winners” in international football who currently sit above England in the pecking order.
He stressed that while the squad can compete for the title, success will depend on discipline, focus and a step-by-step approach rather than heightened expectations.
Tuchel added that England must balance ambition with responsibility, saying belief in the team remains strong but must be matched with hard work and resilience in the face of setbacks.
Despite tempering expectations, he maintained that the squad is determined to go “all the way” and compete for the trophy at the 2026 World Cup.
England last won a major international tournament in 1966 and were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the previous World Cup in Qatar.
