Thomas Tuchel facing huge World Cup headache after failed England experiment | OneFootball

Poor displays against Uruguay and Japan sparked more questions than answers

There are certain signs that a final international camp before the World Cup have gone well.

And then there are some indicators things have not gone to plan. Fans booing a player for being on the pitch could be one. Fans booing all the players off the pitch, perhaps another.

Barely a single player pushing their case to make the World Cup squad, let alone the starting line-up, if you were really pushed for a third.

Or the manager insisting none of it really mattered. It was a full house for England in that regard, Thomas Tuchel adamant after the defeat to Japan that the number of injuries meant these performances will have no real relevance come the summer.

England's final home game before the World Cup ended in a disappointing defeat

The FA via Getty Images

He is probably right, but so frantic was the brushing under the carpet that Tuchel even gave the two matches a rebrand.

"That is not a send-off, come on," Tuchel said on Tuesday, which was news to all those glancing down at the matchday programme for the second game of the '2026 Send-Off Series'.

"There are like 100 matches to be played in England and in Europe. It's March, it's not a send-off."

Either way, England fans were sent off in cold sweats thinking about a future with Harry Kane.

Tuchel insisted these games gave him more clarity over his World Cup squad selection but the reality is that more questions have been thrown up, and none more so than what happens if Kane gets injured.

It certainly cannot be a repeat of the Phil Foden experiment. Nor are Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin good enough.

Ollie Watkins strengthened his case by doing nothing at all. So too Danny Welbeck, who was bizarrely overlooked for this squad considering those who made the cut.

If it is not Watkins or Welbeck this summer, Tuchel should be looking to the versatility of Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Jarrod Bowen rather than any false nine repeat.

England being a worse side without Kane, one of the world's very best, is no surprise. If he stays fit this summer, he could drag the country towards World Cup glory almost single-handedly.

What is an issue is that England were incapable of troubling Japan or Uruguay without him and that Tuchel seemed to just accept the fact. Questions on England's reliance on him were swatted away with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons. No faith was instilled in a Plan B.

That is a major concern heading into the World Cup, relying entirely on the fitness of a 32-year-old who has had injury problems. It is an ominous sign, too, for what life after Kane has in store for England.

If there was any clarity regarding England's No10s, it was confirmation of what does not work. Foden and Cole Palmer cannot play together. Tuchel will surely now be giving strong consideration to leaving at least one out of his World Cup squad.

Without Harry Kane, England lacked punch, creativity and cutting edge against Japan

The FA via Getty Images

It was a strong ten days for those not involved, with Jude Bellingham's important never clearer. Tuchel loves Morgan Rogers and has been keen to give him opportunities over Bellingham.

That felt largely about making a statement to the squad over the power of individuals, or the lack thereof, but now is the time to prioritise winning above all else.

Bellingham's penchant for being the star man on the biggest stage is needed. He must start against Croatia on June 17.

In defence, there was one player who came out of the camp with some credit. Harry Maguire delivered for his country, as he so often does.

Except Tuchel revealed after the Uruguay match - in which Maguire was England's best player - and said he was fifth-choice.

Those felt unnecessary comments when John Stones and Trevoh Chalobah, both declared ahead of Maguire in the pecking order, continue to be hampered by injuries.

England need the experience of Maguire and, if are going to be as poor in attack, they need his threat from set-pieces too. Only when he came on against Japan did they look like scoring.

This defence is not good enough to be turning away from Maguire. That applies too for Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose stock grew by the minute in these two matches.

Ben White was unconvincing on his England return and the booing created an unwanted distraction. Djed Spence was poor against Uruguay and it is impossible to argue England are more likely to win the World Cup with him in the squad than Alexander-Arnold.

England will be a much better side in the summer when Kane, Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all slot back into the starting lineup. That context of key absentees is a significant asterisk to a miserable March camp.

However, in naming an expanded 35-man squad, split into two groups, Tuchel had hoped to emphasise England's strength in depth and foster a level of competition for places that brought out the best in players.

Instead, the first group proved themselves not good enough to win England the World Cup. As for the second group, the core of Tuchel's side, many have been so run into the ground this season that getting them on the pitch is no guarantee.

Even those with the motivation of trying to earn a World Cup place looked leggy and lethargic. That does not bode well for the summer and the temperatures that await England.

The heat on Tuchel has been cranked up. Existing questions, and some newer ones, need to be answered. Kane cannot be the answer to all of them.