Thomas Tuchel makes England injury admission as Three Lions prepare for World Cup opener

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Evening Standard

·5 June 2026

Thomas Tuchel makes England injury admission as Three Lions prepare for World Cup opener

Three Lions have no injury concerns going into summer tournament

Thomas Tuchel has described himself a “very, very lucky manager” after England suffered no injuries that forced his hand when naming his World Cup squad.

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In previous tournaments, England managers have had to name players they would have preferred to leave behind due to injuries to key players who not be fit in time to play.

The Three Lions headed to the 2002 World Cup sweating on a metatarsal injury suffered by David Beckham just weeks before the tournament and the same was true for Wayne Rooney four years later. Kevin Keegan was injured throughout the 1982 World Cup in Spain but still travelled.

Both Harry Kane and Harry Maguire were taken to tournaments under Sir Gareth Southgate short of full fitness, and England were without Frank Lampard at Euro 2012.

This summer’s World Cup has been plainer sailing for Tuchel and England, however.

Reece James recovered from injury at the perfect time to be selected.

Preparations: England train in Miami

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Tuchel, asked about this on Friday, said: “I'm a very lucky manager because I could choose a group and go to the World Cup with the group I've chosen!.

“I'm a very, very lucky manager. I was very nervous in the last weeks when I saw players going out injured. I instantly texted them to say: ‘Is everything ok?’”

“You need this kind of luck if we want to go a long way. If we're unlucky with key moment in key matches, it's not the same thing. We will always try to find solutions, because we don't want to be fully dependent on individual players.”

He added: “Now it's beautiful that we can train in the full-size squad. The young players we took are doing excellent. Every match has the risk of an injury, but let's touch wood and not talk so much about it. The manager is lucky and happy. We have the chance to let everyone play.”

The German was then asked whether he knows what his starting XI will be for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17.

“I am still processing it,” he replied. “I don't want to narrow it down and then we have maybe a slight injury worry or someone is carrying something who is not confident — and it just freaks me out.

“We will always take last decisions, but I have a clear idea I think of 14 or 15 starters who can and should start for us and carry this team.”