Englands Dauer-Trauma vor der WM: Mit deutscher Mentalität zum ersten Titel seit 1966?

22.05.2026 12:55 Teams & Players

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. Almost 60 years, six decades full of hopes, tears and penalty shootout dramas 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 appointment of the former Bayern and Chelsea coach in January 2025 was something of a sensation. He is only the third foreign coach in the federation'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 hesitant, too emotionless, too defensive – such was the harsh verdict on the legacy of the long-serving team boss. 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 been the downfall at Wembley and Turin so many times before. "We must learn to be cold in the decisive moments," Tuchel said shortly after taking office. A message that in England sounds like a battle cry against its own history – and one that has already shown its first effects in qualification. 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 better showcase individual class. Notable: under the new coach, the Three Lions operate much more intense in pressing, more vertical and bolder in build-up play than before. 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 regarded as one of the few coaches who can handle it. At the Three Lions, he has deliberately created distance from the public, keeps press conferences short and concentrates on work on the pitch. The competition at the 2026 World Cup will be tough, however. Defending champions Argentina around Lionel Messi, France with Kylian Mbappé, Spain as reigning European champions and Brazil are lurking. Add unusual 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 transform a team that has repeatedly failed to live up to its own ambitions into a tournament team that stays cool in knockout games. If he succeeds, 2026 could finally be the year when England overcomes its 60-year-old trauma – with the help of a German coach, of all people.