Former interim England manager Lee Carsley believes the national team is primed to achieve World Cup glory in 2026 under incoming head coach Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician, who takes charge on January 1 with an 18-month contract, has been tasked with ending England's decades-long wait for a major trophy.
Carsley, who temporarily replaced Gareth Southgate and led the team to Nations League promotion with five wins in six matches, expressed confidence in the squad’s potential.
“I think we are in a good position to do that,” said Carsley. “We have the talent, and we’ve got all of the tools. We just need to play them in the right order.”
Carsley’s interim tenure ended on a high note with a 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley, during which he debuted eight players, including Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
As Carsley steps back to focus on his role as England Under-21s manager, he feels confident about the state of the senior team he is handing over to Tuchel.
“Thomas’ pool of players has increased, so we’ve left the squad in a fantastic position,” he said. “I’ve been lucky to be at the last couple of World Cups, and timing—players being in form physically and mentally—is key. Picking the right squad at the right time will be crucial.”
Carsley plans to meet Tuchel soon to share insights and hand over a detailed dossier on the team’s strengths and areas for improvement. He emphasized the importance of providing Tuchel with a comprehensive understanding of the squad before he officially begins.
“We’ll collate our thoughts and provide something valuable for him to work with, then step back to support him,” Carsley said.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed Carsley’s optimism, highlighting the new energy within the team and the fierce competition for places. Pickford believes Tuchel’s arrival could propel England to take the final step toward winning a major tournament.
“We’ve been so close before, and we want to go that one step further,” said the Everton goalkeeper. “There’s a lot of competition for places, but that’s what it’s about—you want the best players for England at the right moment.”
Pickford also emphasized the importance of club form in securing national team selection, saying, “You’ve got to be on form for your club to get picked for your country. That’s what I’ll focus on—giving my best for Everton and staying ready for England.”
As the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager prepares to take charge, pundits have debated the challenges Tuchel might face, particularly in terms of squad selection. Former England striker Chris Sutton pointed out the depth of talent in the squad as both a blessing and a potential headache.
“There’s only one nailed-on starter, and that’s Jordan Pickford,” Sutton said. “Every other position is up for debate. For instance, Harry Kane is brilliant, but his mobility might be an issue in 18 months. Players like Ollie Watkins offer a different dimension and could challenge him for a starting spot.”
Sutton added that Tuchel’s strong character and tactical acumen make him the ideal candidate to harness England’s potential and navigate these debates.
Tuchel’s first major assignment will be to prepare the team for World Cup Qualifiers starting in March, with the tournament itself set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. The focus will be on maintaining the team’s form, nurturing new talent, and building on the attacking style Carsley introduced during his tenure.
“I wanted to attack,” Carsley reflected on his interim role. “We have such attacking talent in this group, and we’ve shown we can control games by playing to our strengths.”
With Tuchel at the helm and a reinvigorated squad, England fans will be hoping that 2026 marks the end of their long wait for World Cup success.
