Can Tuchel Take England To World Cup Glory?
The date July 19th 2026, the World Cup final in New Jersey, is crunch time. Either England are there or they’re not...
Good afternoon and welcome back to The Overlap Newsletter! Thomas Tuchel has announced his first England squad for the World Cup Qualifiers, but it includes a few unexpected picks. Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford has been recalled to the squad almost a year since his last international cap. There was a shock return to the team for Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson, whose last appearance for England came against Malta in November 2023. Newcastle defender Dan Burn and Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly have received their first senior international call-up. A few notable absences from the squad which have raised questions include: Jarrad Branthwaite, Adam Wharton, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Gibbs-White. Whilst John Stones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are among those to miss out with either confirmed injuries or fitness concerns. The new head coach will step out at Wembley Stadium when England host Albania on Friday 21st March for the World Cup Qualifying campaign. Do you agree with Thomas Tuchel’s team selection? Catch the latest episode of Stick To Football on The Overlap Youtube Channel as Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Jill Scott, Ian Wright and Wayne Rooney dive into the biggest football stories making headlines. Listen to the latest episode of It Was What It Was following the link below as Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by David Corner - the man whose life was changed forever by the 1985 League Cup Final between Sunderland and Norwich:
Quiz Question…
Morgan Gibbs-White is now joint-second with Bryan Roy for combined Premier League goals and assists for Forest, with 39. Who holds the club record, with 44?
Answer to follow at the end of the Newsletter…
Stick To Football Behind The Scenes:
THOMAS TUCHEL: HIS MAJESTY'S SPECIAL AGENT ON A MISSION TO WIN THE WORLD
By Rob Draper, co-host It Was What It Was
Everyone knows it’s good to have friends in high places but maybe Marcus Rashford didn’t fully appreciate the unexpected bonus of a move to Aston Villa included having the future King lobbying on his behalf. Thomas Tuchel announced his first England squad on Friday morning and revealed that a recent audience at Windsor Castle with HRH Duke of Cambridge, aka Prince William and FA patron, had, as it does when meeting a fan, lapsed into reasons why he should be picking more Villa players.
“It’s so impressive and nice how emotionally he supports Aston Villa and the national team.” said Tuchel. “He has strong opinions! He was pushing hard for Aston Villa players - which wasn't needed!” Because, Tuchel will argue, Rahsford, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konza were on his radar regardless of royal approval.
But the German did also say how proud he was that the heir to the throne has publicly said that Tuchel is the right choice to take England to that elusive World Cup win. That of course comes with pressure - a “privilege” Tuchel claims - and is the nature of the job. Rashford’s inclusion, along with the return of Jordan Henderson, the retention of Kyle Walker and the confirmation of Harry Kane as captain, felt a little bit like getting the old band back together rather than the fresh start of a bold new era.
Rashford of course is the other side of thirty compared to those older hands and his selection makes sense given his Villa performances. Tuchel’s press conference was generally all smiles, yet you glimpsed a moment of his more demanding side when asked about Rashford. After all, this is a manager who we know is as adept at using the stick as much as the carrot.
“The impact he has made at Villa is impressive” said Tuchel. “But it is also the impact of his work rate, the impact [he has] against the ball, his hard work, his pressing and tracking back.” Therein was a clue as to what Tuchel will value in this England team: attacking qualities without the defensive duties will not be enough.
“We had the strong feeling that we should bring him in to to push him to stay at this level. And not fall back into old routines.” In other words, no more nights out in Belfast or you’re out.
In general it was an assured performance by Tuchel but this is the honeymoon period, where impressive rhetoric is enough as the games haven’t actually started. The failure to recognise the role Morgan Gibbs-White has had with Nottingham Forest seems bizarre. Perhaps it was just too soon for Adam Whatron but surely he will be in come the summer if his progress at Palace continues?
The Henderson decision only makes sense if you are attempting to establish positive vibes in the squad. “He brings leadership, character, personality and energy,” said Tuchel. “He makes sure everyone lives by the standards. He embodies everything we try to build.” In other words, with just six camps and 60 days to prepare for the World Cup, Tuchel can't waste time slowly building a team culture: he needs someone like Henderson to set the tone.
England have missed Henderson and Kalvin Phillips since 2022. The midfield has never functioned properly without the counter balance of a player ready to sacrifice himself for the greater good. The problem is Tuchel needs Jordan Henderson from 2020, not the 2025 version.
What was equally intriguing is Tuchel’s embrace of the English game. “Our style needs to reflect the Premier League, physically dominant, brave enough to play like an England squad and not copy other nations, to reflect the values of the country and the strongest league in the world.” You wonder whether an English coach would have the confidence to speak so boldly. “We need to increase the rhythm and intensity,” he added, which is perhaps a comment on the lethargic, tired Euro 2024 performances. “We should play a direct style.”
It happens that Tuchel’s English values do neatly coincide with the latest tactical trends: Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth could be a model. The embrace of good technique with a furious high press and a determination to play forward is definitely the fashion of the day…
Where it all ends up is less clear. Next week's qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at home don’t represent the most testing start to an England career. The date July 19th 2026, the World Cup final in New Jersey, is crunch time. Either England are there and we can all agree that Tuchel’s appointment was a great short term fix. Or they’re not, in which case breaking the line of English coaches and ditching the culture work Gareth Southgate painstakingly established will seem a short-sighted act of desperation. It’s a harsh binary world given all the nuances of bad luck that can effect a team in a knock out tournament. But that is the world Tuchel signed up for when he accepted His Majesty’s assignment.
Quiz Answer:
Ian Woan