Thomas Tuchel to ‘hold talks’ with Liverpool star over 2026 World Cup chances | OneFootball

England Star Set for Talks with Thomas Tuchel Ahead of World Cup 2026

Curtis Jones has taken some heavy tackles from circumstance this year, but the Liverpool midfielder still has a route back toward England’s World Cup picture. His absence from the last three international camps has raised predictable doubts around his place, yet Lewis Steele of The Daily Mail makes one thing clear, there is no door slammed shut. According to the piece, “England boss Thomas Tuchel will hold talks with Curtis Jones in the next fortnight”, a line that instantly reframes the midfielder’s situation.

That conversation will matter. Jones has six senior caps and four came this calendar year, which typically signals trust from a national manager. Early in 2024 there was quiet confidence that he could travel to next summer’s World Cup. Injury changed everything, and the rise of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton has altered the landscape. Yet as the article states, “he is on the list of those for Tuchel to call in the coming weeks”, which is as clear a sign as any that his England career remains very much in play.

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Path Back Into Tuchel’s Thinking

For Jones, clarity will be invaluable. Tuchel is “poised to outline the things Jones needs to do to force his way back into the reckoning”, which sounds like a direct challenge rather than a gentle nudge. Those close to the England setup have been impressed by Jones’s tactical discipline under Arne Slot, who already views him as a key component of Liverpool’s evolving midfield structure.

The player himself has always embraced constructive instruction. A figure close to the midfielder described him as “absolutely determined to prove he belongs in England discussions, he feels he has only shown a small part of what he can deliver.” That determination will appeal to Tuchel, who prioritises adaptability and positional intelligence in this England rebuild.

World Cup Ambition Still Within Reach

With the tournament looming, timing is everything. Jones needs a clean bill of health and a consistent run of minutes, but the pathway remains visible. England managers rarely arrange phone calls for players they no longer consider, and Tuchel’s willingness to engage suggests genuine interest. For now, the midfielder’s World Cup dream is wounded rather than written off.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool perspective, this should excite supporters. Jones felt destined to make the World Cup earlier in the year and fans saw flashes of the complete midfielder he can become. His injury setbacks were frustrating, but they have never reduced belief in his long term ceiling. Slot’s arrival has already helped several players reset their trajectories, and Jones looks like someone who will thrive under a manager who values intelligence in tight spaces and quick transitions.

The England call from Tuchel could be perfectly timed. Confidence often grows fastest when a player feels noticed. If Jones gets a clear roadmap from the national manager, he will attack it the way he attacked his early Liverpool opportunities, with personality and bravery. Supporters want to see him become more influential in the final third, and if he unlocks that consistently, he has every chance of overtaking some of the younger England midfielders who have recently stepped ahead of him.

A strong winter and spring for Liverpool could transform his prospects. If Slot’s side mounts a serious run across competitions and Jones plays a meaningful part, his name will rise again in national conversations. Liverpool fans remain hopeful, and many believe we have not seen the best of him yet.