England's Path to Glory: Tuchel's Optimism Grows Ahead of World Cup Draw

Thomas Tuchel 

Thomas Tuchel expresses growing optimism about England's World Cup prospects after impressive qualifying campaign. Learn more about their chances and the challenges ahead.

“You can't play the same football in 45°C as in 21°C. We need to adapt and prepare the players as well as possible...” 

Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, is considering keeping substitutes in the dressing room during the 2026 World Cup matches if the heat becomes too extreme. This decision aims to mitigate the impact of high temperatures on players. “If this helps the players later in the match, we have to consider it,” Tuchel told BBC Sport.

Tuchel mentioned that he saw teams adopting this approach at the Club World Cup and is open to trying it if it benefits his players. “Nobody likes it because I want the players to be out there, feeling the energy and bringing it from the bench on to the pitch. But I saw what you mean, I saw teams doing this in the Club World Cup. Hopefully we can avoid it,” he added.

“Nobody likes it because I want the players to be out there, feeling the energy and bringing it from the bench on to the pitch. But I saw players doing this at the Club World Cup. Hopefully we can avoid it,” the manager added.

The scorching heat at the Club World Cup in the U.S. last June was a major concern, with medical experts and players' unions raising alarms about heat stress, dehydration, and slower recovery times. Thomas Tuchel, a prominent voice on the issue, admitted it would be a problem for high-level football, potentially reducing match intensity.

Tuchel's comments highlighted the challenges of hosting the tournament in extreme temperatures. The global event, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, faced criticism for prioritizing logistics over player welfare. The heat issue remains a concern for upcoming tournaments.

“You can't play the same football in 45°C as in 21°C. We need to adapt and prepare the players as well as possible,” he added.

Thomas Tuchel is feeling optimistic about England's chances, despite the challenges they'll face at the 2026 World Cup in North America. The England manager believes his team has grown stronger and more cohesive, and he's excited about the prospect of leading them to victory.

Tuchel's confidence is backed by England's impressive qualifying campaign, where they won all eight games, scoring 22 goals and conceding none. They're now among the favorites to win the tournament, and Tuchel's emphasis on teamwork and strategy could give them an edge.

#ThreeLions boss Thomas Tuchel is here 👋 pic.twitter.com/lgBPAtjh73

— England (@England) December 5, 2025

England's qualifying campaign has been impressive, winning all 8 games, scoring 22 goals, and conceding none. They're in pot 1 for Friday's draw, which means they'll avoid tough opponents like France, Spain, and Argentina before the semis - as long as those teams win their groups.

This puts England in a strong position, and with their current form, they're looking like serious contenders. The draw will be crucial, but they've got a good chance of making it far in the tournament.

“We need to wait until the draw but we have a clear idea against whom we want to play. We're getting closer. I think we're getting stronger. The target is to arrive in June with a strong squad and the emphasis is on the squad and the team spirit,” he said.