LONDON, March 24 – Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as England’s head coach has started on a perfect note, with two wins from two matches, five goals scored, and none conceded.
Following Friday’s 2-0 victory over Albania, Tuchel’s side cruised to a 3-0 win against Latvia at Wembley on Monday, maintaining a flawless start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
While England’s performances have not been without flaws, Tuchel has already earned praise for his tactical decisions, with early signs suggesting that his appointment could prove to be a masterstroke.
Tuchel’s Smart Changes Pay Off
Against Latvia, Tuchel made four changes to his starting lineup, with Reece James marking his return with a sublime free kick—his first England goal since 2022.
Another key moment came when Eberechi Eze, coming off the bench, scored his first international goal, adding to the growing sense of optimism surrounding the team.
England’s Road to the 2026 World Cup
England already appear on track to top Group K, a relatively modest qualification group, and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup. However, Tuchel will know that the real test of his impact will come when England aim to end their 60-year wait for a major trophy.
For now, though, the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich coach is adapting well to international football, proving that he can thrive on the big stage.
A Happy Tuchel Praises His Squad
Reflecting on his first international break as England manager, Tuchel credited his players for making his transition smooth.
“Very happy because of the players mainly,” Tuchel said.
“They reminded me instantly why I was excited about the job. Top characters, a very good group. I think we had some excellent days on the pitch, but also off the pitch. Good energy and a very positive atmosphere.”
Winning both opening games was a minimum expectation, and while neither Albania nor Latvia provided the stiffest competition, Tuchel saw the value in these tests.
“I think we need exactly these kinds of matches— the tension of World Cup qualifiers and the challenge of finding solutions when not everything falls into place,” he explained.
“There’s still room to improve. But overall, we have two wins, two clean sheets, and we did not allow any good chances in two matches. So there’s a lot of positives.”
Rashford’s Mixed Performances
Tuchel also handed another opportunity to Marcus Rashford, who was recalled to the squad and started against Albania. The Manchester United loanee, currently at Aston Villa, struggled in that game but showed more promise against Latvia, particularly in the first half.
“Not everything fell into place for him, but the most important thing was that he showed hunger, desire, and confidence in his abilities,” Tuchel said.
A Long Wait Until June
Tuchel now faces the frustrating reality of waiting until June for his next England camp, but he departs having made a strong impression on both his players and the fans.
England captain Harry Kane, who extended his international goal tally to 71 in the Latvia match, praised Tuchel’s influence.
“Thomas Tuchel is fantastic, he has settled in straight away. He is a pleasure to work for, he has brought the passion,” Kane said of his former Bayern Munich boss.
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With England’s World Cup campaign on track, Tuchel will now turn his focus to the tactical improvements needed to transform the Three Lions into serious contenders for international glory.
