Thomas Tuchel responds to England's "very difficult" World Cup draw | OneFootball

England manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken out on the difficult group his side have drawn for the 2026 World Cup next summer.

The Three Lions haven’t won this trophy since all the way back in 1966, and they’ll be desperate to finally bring it home again after some recent near-misses at major tournaments.

England made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018, where they lost out to Croatia, and were also beaten finalists at both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

Thomas Tuchel reacts to England’s World Cup group draw

Speaking at yesterday’s ceremony in the United States, Tuchel was quoted by the Guardian as saying: “I think it’s a very complex group, a very difficult group but, OK, it is what it is.

Thomas Tuchel watches the 2026 World Cup draw (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“Croatia are difficult. It’s a big opening match and it could easily be a quarter-final or even later in the tournament but we don’t wish for things. We don’t want to avoid at all costs anything.”

Croatia certainly have the ability to upset England early on at next summer’s tournament, but Tuchel will surely feel his team have enough in them to get past Ghana and Panama, even if they won’t exactly be pushovers.

England were seeded, so have avoided other big names like France and Spain in the group stage.

Still, those are the kinds of teams England will have to take on at some point, and they shouldn’t have too much to fear as one of the favourites to go all the way in the competition.

Can England win the 2026 World Cup?

Gareth Southgate did a fine job with England and was unlucky not to pick up a trophy for his efforts, so Tuchel will have been appointed to take the country a step closer.

The German tactician has the experience of winning major silverware, having lifted the Champions League at Chelsea and the Bundesliga at Bayern Munich.

There are also world class talents in this England squad, with the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice undoubtedly up there with the finest players in the world right now.

Tuchel has also guided England through a perfect qualifying campaign, with young talents like Elliot Anderson coming through as well.

We’ll have a better idea of England’s credentials after that opening game against Croatia.