Tuchel Says England Can 'Dare to Dream' Despite Not Being World Cup Favourites
England manager Thomas Tuchel stated his team is not among the top favourites for the 2026 World Cup, citing the country's six-decade title drought since 1966. Speaking to reporters in Florida ahead of a warm-up match against Costa Rica, Tuchel compared England's position to a Wimbledon player who has never won the tournament. His comments underscore the measured expectations surrounding England as they prepare to open their campaign on June 17 against Croatia in Dallas.
Thomas Tuchel, England's German manager, addressed reporters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on June 9, 2026, on the eve of England's final warm-up match against Costa Rica. He argued that England cannot be considered top favourites because they have not won the World Cup since 1966, contrasting them with nations he described as 'proven winners' in recent tournaments. Tuchel used a Wimbledon analogy to frame England's position: capable of winning, but not the outright favourite given their lack of recent major tournament success. Despite this, he expressed strong personal belief in the squad's potential, emphasising the importance of a calm, step-by-step mindset and stating that reaching the quarter-finals opens the door to going 'all the way.' Tuchel, who is managing a team at a World Cup for the first time, said his Champions League experience in club football has informed his tournament approach. England begin their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 17 in Dallas against Croatia, a rematch of their 2018 semi-final encounter.
What's missing
No details are provided about which specific nations Tuchel considers the 'proven winners' and top favourites.
What different sources said
- The Japan TimesCenter
Tuchel says England not World Cup favorites but can dare to dream
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Tuchel says England not World Cup favourites but can dare to dream
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