Thomas Tuchel spoke to Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol after the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw and answered questions on a range of key talking points surrounding his takeover as England head coach – including whether Harry Kane should be a first-choice and would remain captain.
England's record scorer was criticized during the 2024 European Championship and was named on the bench by interim boss Lee Carsley for the must-win Nations League match in Greece last month.
Read on to see what we learned from Tuchel about his views on Kane and his role in the squad, plus his assessment of Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer, England's World Cup qualifying group opponent, where he will be based when he leaves starts on January 1. whether he has had transfer talks with Carsley and former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate…
Kane seems to remain captain and regular starter under Tuchel…
“There is no need to look at other options at the moment. It's like Harry, everyone else, us totally… I admire him, for his quality, for his leadership, for his character. The players decide In the end whether they play or not play, that's how it always is.
“I am happy with this group of players, including Harry, great personalities and quality. The task now is to find and build the best group so that people watch us with enthusiasm, so that they feel inspired by watching this team .”
Tuchel will be a prominent presence at Premier League matches from January…
“You will see me in the stadiums from January, yes. The work starts from the signature, because you get engaged [in the project] and today [the draw] was the kick-off for the World Cup campaign, so of course we have to be there.”
But where will he be located?
“I won't tell you my address! Otherwise you'll be in front of my house every week! I like you, but not that much!
“Of course we will be at St George's Park very regularly [the FA’s national football centre] because this is where our base is and this is where we want to create an atmosphere and this is where we like to talk to all the people who work for the FA. We want to communicate with them, we want to use quality and feel the place.
“We are going to watch a lot of matches from January. I want to see the matches live, I am going to talk to the players – but don't get too involved in it either, because they are players of the clubs and have to concentrate on that. You will see us A lot in stadiums from January.”
What did he think of England's Nations League performance under Lee Carsley in November, when they defeated Greece and Ireland to gain promotion back to the top flight?
“Of course I watched the games, I wished Lee all the best and then sent congratulations. I'm happy because I always thought the decision was right that Lee would do the full campaign and let him finish the job. He did a great job , the players did an excellent job.
“It was difficult because they had a lot of injuries and they desperately needed a result in Greece. They delivered and got the job done. Congratulations, well done. We watched on TV.”
Did England look like World Cup winners?
“I knew this before and when I look at the matches, we have the players, the talent and the qualities to go far. But now we have to prove it first and foremost in the qualifiers. It's getting closer, the gap between the big countries and smaller countries close every tournament. It is more difficult to win your matches, so we have to show full respect and show our top level from March when it starts.”
How does Cole Palmer fit into Thomas Tuchel's England team?
“That's a bit too far to comment on individual players! But he is certainly in good shape, I think everyone agrees on that. Hopefully he can still grow and keep the level high. Everyone likes to watch him. is cool, composed, he is very clinical in finishing and assisting. Very impressive at the moment.”
There has been no major transfer of Carsley – and no Three Lions file!
“We have exchanged messages but there is no such thing as a famous file! We will be working in St George's from January and I hope it will become very regular and normal that we meet and have an exchange because I am interested in his position on the nominations [selections]about the games, about the potential in the group and how he felt about the group and his experiences. We stay in touch. He is an U21 coach, so very close to me and we have plenty of time from January [to talk].”
Catching up with Gareth Southgate is also likely in 2025…
'Not yet. But that is yet to come. He's a gentleman and we met before when I was at Chelsea. It was a pleasure talking to him. Why wouldn't I?'
Tuchel will not be taking England's opponents for World Cup qualifying lightly, with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra drawn to play the Three Lions…
“I have enormous respect for Serbia and Albania. They can always surprise. They have a strong history of football, of technical football, of emotional audiences and emotional players and emotional groups. They have famous ex-players as coaches, so we have to be very careful.” aware of that.
“England have never played Latvia before, so this is a new experience for all of us. And then we have Andorra, where we are big favorites, but we have to qualify, this is the most important thing. This is where all the focus goes.” That's not possible.” be a different approach than taking it seriously, take it with respect and let it happen before we can dream the dream.”
And finally, don't expect him to wear suits…
[Speaking in a smart suit] – “Things are changing! An FA tie even! It feels comfortable. It won't be my look on the sidelines. I need more freedom of movement. But for the occasion it was fun to wear!”
When and where is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The tournament will take place in 16 cities in three North American countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is the first time that a World Cup is organized by three countries.
The last time North America hosted the tournament was in 1994, when Brazil triumphed after beating Italy on penalties.
An expanded World Cup will include 48 teams – 16 more than Qatar 2022 – and will take place for the first time in three host countries.
World Cup 2026 – qualified teams
Only three teams have so far been assured of their place in the final: the host countries USA, Canada and Mexico.
2026 World Cup schedule
The full fixture list including group matches and kick-off times will only be available after the draw for the final tournament, which is expected to take place at the end of 2025, according to FIFA.
But FIFA has already announced key dates and confirmed that the opening match will be held in Mexico City, with the final taking place at the New York New Jersey Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Group Stage: June 11-27 Round of 32: June 28 to July 3 Round of 16: July 4-7 Quarter-finals: July 9-11 Semi-finals: July 14-15 Third Place Play-off ('Bronze Final') : July 18 Final: July 19
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