England: Thomas Tuchel talks Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and World Cup prospects as Three Lions uncover 2026 qualifying opponents

Thomas Tuchel spoke to Sky Sports activities Information‘ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol after the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw and answered questions on a spread of huge speaking factors about him taking up as England head coach – together with whether or not Harry Kane would stay a first-choice and captain.

England’s file scorer got here in for criticism throughout Euro 2024 and was named on the bench by interim boss Lee Carsley for the must-win Nations League match in Greece final month.

Learn on to see what we realized from Tuchel about his view on Kane and his position within the squad, plus his verdict on Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer, England’s World Cup qualifying group opponents, the place he might be based mostly when he begins work from January 1 and whether or not he has had handover conversations with Carsley and former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate…

Kane seems set to stay captain and common starter beneath Tuchel…

“There isn’t any want for the time being to take a look at different choices. It is like for Harry for everybody else as effectively, we completely… I love him, for his high quality, for his management, for his character. The gamers resolve in the long run in the event that they play or they do not play, it is at all times like that.

“I am completely happy to have this group of gamers, together with Harry, huge personalities and high quality. The job now could be to seek out and construct the most effective group that individuals are excited to look at us, that they really feel impressed watching this staff.”

Tuchel might be a high-profile presence at Premier League video games from January…

“You will note me in stadiums from January, sure. Work begins from the signature since you get engaged [in the project] and at the moment [the draw] was the kick off for the World Cup marketing campaign so clearly now we have to be there.”

However the place will he be based mostly?

“I cannot inform you my handle! In any other case you will be in entrance of my home each week! I such as you however not a lot!

“After all we might be very frequently in St George’s Park [the FA’s national football centre] as a result of that is the place our base is and that is the place we wish to create an environment and that is the place we’re completely happy to interact with all of the individuals who work for the FA. We wish to work together with them, we wish to use high quality and really feel the place.

“We are going to watch plenty of matches beginning in January. I wish to see the matches reside, I’ll communicate to the gamers – but additionally not intrude an excessive amount of as a result of they’re gamers of the golf equipment and may deal with that. You will note us in stadiums so much from January onwards.”

What did he consider England’s Nations League performances beneath Lee Carsley in November, after they beat Greece and Republic of Eire to win promotion again to the highest tier?

“After all I watched the video games, I needed Lee all the most effective and despatched congratulations after. I am completely happy as a result of I believed the choice was at all times proper that Lee does the total marketing campaign and let him end the job. He did wonderful, the gamers did wonderful.

“It was tough as a result of that they had plenty of accidents and so they wanted a outcome desperately in Greece. They delivered and obtained the job carried out. Congratulations, effectively carried out. We watched on the tv.”

Did England seem like World Cup winners?

“I knew this earlier than and watching the matches, now we have the gamers, the expertise and the traits to go far. However now, to begin with, now we have to show it within the qualifiers. It will get nearer and nearer, the gaps between the large nations and the smaller nations. It closes each match. It is tougher to win your video games, so now we have to point out full respect and present our prime degree from March when it begins.”

How does Cole Palmer match right into a Thomas Tuchel England aspect?

“That is a bit too far, going into particular person gamers! However he’s positively on kind, I believe everybody would agree on that. Hopefully he can nonetheless develop and preserve the extent up. Everybody enjoys watching him. He is cool, composed, he is very medical in ending and helping. Very spectacular for the time being.”

There was no huge handover from Carsley – and no Three Lions file!

“We exchanged messages however there is no such thing as a such factor as a well-known file! We are going to work from January in St George’s and I hope it turns into very common and regular that we meet and now we have an trade as a result of I am taken with his perspective concerning the nominations [selections], concerning the video games, concerning the potential within the group and the way he felt the group and his experiences. We are going to keep involved. He’s U21 coach so very near me and now we have sufficient time from January [to talk].”

A catch-up with Gareth Southgate is probably going in 2025, too…

“Not but. However nonetheless that’s to come back. He is a gentleman and we met earlier than after I was at Chelsea. It was a pleasure to speak to him. Why should not I?”

Tuchel will not be taking England’s World Cup qualifying opponents flippantly, with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra drawn to play the Three Lions…

“I’ve large respect for Serbia and Albania. They will at all times shock. They’ve a robust historical past of soccer, of technical soccer, of emotional crowd and emotional gamers and emotional teams. They’ve well-known ex-players as coaches so we ought to be very conscious of that.

“England by no means performed Latvia, so this can be a new expertise for all of us, after which now we have Andorra the place we’re large favourites however now we have to qualify, that is a very powerful factor. That is the place all the main target goes. There can’t be another strategy than taking it critically, take it with respect and make it occur earlier than we will dream the dream.”

And eventually, do not count on him to start out sporting fits…

[Speaking in a smart suit] – “Issues change! An FA tie, even! It feels comfy. It won’t be my look on the sideline. I would like extra freedom to maneuver round. However for the event it was good to put on!”

World Cup 2026 European qualifiers: Key dates

Group-stage match dates: March 21-25, June 6-10, September 4-9, October 9-14 and November 13-18, 2025
Play-off match dates: March 26-31 2026
Ultimate match dates: June 11 to July 19 2026

When and the place is the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA males’s World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The match will happen throughout 16 cities in three North American international locations: the United States, Canada and Mexico. It’s the first time a World Cup has been hosted by three nations.

The final time North America hosted the match was in 1994, when Brazil triumphed after beating Italy on penalties.

An expanded World Cup will function 48 groups – 16 greater than in Qatar 2022 – and happen throughout three host nations for the primary time.

2026 World Cup – certified groups

Solely three groups thus far are certain of their place on the finals: the hosts USA, Canada and Mexico.

World Cup 2026 schedule

The total fixture listing with group video games and kick-off occasions will solely be accessible after the draw for the ultimate match, which FIFA says is anticipated to happen in the direction of the tip of 2025.

However FIFA has already introduced key dates and confirmed that the opening match might be held in Mexico Metropolis, with the ultimate happening on the New York New Jersey Stadium – residence of the New York Giants and New York Jets.

Group stage: June 11-27 Spherical of 32: June 28 to July 3 Spherical of 16: July 4-7 Quarter-finals: July 9/11 Semi-finals: July 14-15 Third-place play-off (‘Bronze remaining’): July 18 Ultimate: July 19