England's coach Thomas Tuchel stated that there are no easy opponents at the World Cup, despite some considering their group to be favorable. Following the draw ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, United States, Tuchel commented, "It's a tough group with Croatia and Ghana, two teams that regularly participate in the World Cup and are both proud and strong nations. I don't know much about Panama and will learn more before the tournament."
The German coach confirmed that he and his players would be confident and well-prepared for the tournament in North America. Their opening match on 17/6/2026 will be against Croatia, the team that eliminated England in the 2018 World Cup semifinals. He further emphasized, "No one should be underestimated. Croatia is a prominent team, Ghana is full of talent and capable of surprises, and Panama will leverage their underdog status."
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England coach Thomas Tuchel on the red carpet before the 2026 World Cup draw. Photo: ANP |
The draw results have also prompted Tuchel to re-evaluate England's friendly match schedule for the 2026 World Cup. The "Three Lions" were initially slated to face Japan and Uruguay in friendly matches in June 2026. Tuchel explained, "We might have to reconsider. There are no Asian or South American teams in our group, so we may need to find other opponents to better prepare."
After their match against Croatia, England will play Ghana on 23/6/2026 and Panama four days later. Should they finish first in their group, they would face a third-placed team from another group in the round of 32. A potential path could see them playing their round of 16 match in Mexico City, a quarterfinal against Brazil, and a semifinal clash with defending champions Argentina.
In a previous interview, Tuchel expressed confidence in the England team's title aspirations, citing a perfect qualifying campaign with eight straight wins and consistent clean sheets. He stated, "We cannot promise to win the championship, but fans want to see a team that fights for each other. If the players have that spirit, anything is possible. We will be brave enough to dream and to try."
Tuchel also addressed the logistical challenges of the tournament, including the hot and humid weather and the extensive travel schedule across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He mentioned considering keeping substitute players in the dressing room during excessively hot conditions, a situation that occurred multiple times at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Captain Harry Kane shared his enthusiasm for the draw. "There are some tough groups, but this is an exciting draw. This will be a big tournament, and I am eager to see all the England fans turn out in large numbers as usual to support us," he said.
Hong Duy (according to The Sun, Sky Sports)
