England coach Thomas Tuchel has downplayed his team’s chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing the need for the Three Lions to prove themselves on the global stage after a long title drought. Tuchel made these remarks ahead of England’s final warm-up match against Costa Rica in Orlando following a narrow 1-0 victory over New Zealand in their previous game.
When asked about England’s position as a favorite for the tournament, Tuchel responded by questioning the number of favorites and acknowledging that England cannot be considered top contenders due to their lack of recent success. Despite this, Tuchel expressed the team’s ambition, emphasizing their competitive spirit and desire to succeed while acknowledging the presence of other successful teams in the competition.
Tuchel also revealed the decision to appoint Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as the team’s vice-captain, supporting Harry Kane, who serves as the captain. Praising Rice for his tactical awareness and leadership qualities, Tuchel highlighted the midfielder’s pivotal role in maintaining the team’s structure and rhythm on the field, citing his impressive performances with Arsenal as a key factor in his selection as vice-captain.
With a relaxed atmosphere currently prevailing in the England camp, Tuchel noted that the tension is expected to increase naturally as the team transitions to a new location in Kansas and prepares for their opening game. England is set to begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17, with Tuchel emphasizing the team’s readiness to compete at the highest level.
