It is one of the oldest and most painful stories in world football: since the legendary Wembley goal of 1966, England has been waiting for its second World Cup title. Nearly 60 years, six decades full of hopes, tears and penalty drama lie between the triumph of Bobby Moore back then and today's generation around Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka. Before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, a German of all people is supposed to end England's long-standing trauma: Thomas Tuchel.
The signing of the former Bayern and Chelsea manager in January 2025 was something of a sensation. He is only the third foreign coach in the association's history and the first German ever. The English FA responded to the disappointment of the lost Euro 2024 final against Spain. Gareth Southgate had led England to two finals, but the final step remained out of reach. Too timid, too emotionless, too defensive – such was the harsh verdict on the legacy of the long-serving team manager.
Tuchel is now supposed to bring exactly what many English teams have lacked in recent decades: clarity, tactical discipline and that famous "German mentality" that has so often been the downfall in Wembley and Turin. "We must learn to be cold in the crucial moments," Tuchel said shortly after taking office. A message that sounds like a challenge to England's own history – and one that has already shown its first effects in qualifying.
Spielplan: England
| Wed, 17.06.2026 |  Lumen Field | | | ENG | CRO | | | - : - | |
| Tue, 23.06.2026 | Lincoln Financial Field | | | ENG | GHA | | | - : - | |
| Sat, 27.06.2026 | Arrowhead Stadium | | | PAN | ENG | | | - : - | |
WM Schedule →
Athletically, England has a squad that other nations can only dream of. In attack the indestructible Harry Kane, in midfield the world-class player Jude Bellingham, plus Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice and the young wing duo Saka/Bowen. Tuchel has been experimenting for months with systems between 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 to bring individual class more into play. Notable: the Three Lions operate under the new manager significantly more press-intensive, more vertical and bolder in their build-up play than recently.
But expectations are a burden in themselves. In no other country is the pressure on the national team as crushing as in England. The tabloid press celebrates every detail, every mistake becomes a state affair. Tuchel knows this media climate from his time at Chelsea – and is considered one of the few managers who can handle it. With the Three Lions he has deliberately built distance from the public, keeps press conferences short and focuses on the work on the pitch.
The competition at the 2026 World Cup will be tough, however. Defending champions Argentina with Lionel Messi, France with Kylian Mbappé, Spain as the reigning European champions and Brazil are lurking. Add to that unfamiliar conditions: heat in Mexico, long journeys across North America, a new format with 48 teams. England needs not only class, but also robustness and adaptability.
This is exactly where Tuchel's greatest mission lies. He wants to turn a team that has repeatedly failed to live up to its own expectations into a tournament team that stays cool in knockout games. If he succeeds, 2026 could finally be the year England overcomes its 60-year-old trauma – with the help of a German manager, of all people.