Coach Thomas Tuchel is confident in the England team before the opening match of the World Cup against Croatia
England coach Thomas Tuchel expressed confidence in the home team's performance in the opening match of the World Cup against Croatia, emphasizing courage and risky playing style.
Coach Thomas Tuchel has promised that England will show "courage" in the 2026 World Cup, and that a big event like the match against Croatia will "shine" on the team's best qualities. England will officially open the tournament at AT&T Stadium in Dallas next Wednesday, however, the German coach affirmed that he is not confident enough to sing the national anthem. He discussed how he feels this country is "home", in his bid to bring home England's first trophy in 60 years.
Tuchel believes the key to that will be a risky approach that the players are used to. He said: "I think we should play bravely and play to the strengths of the players. I feel clearly that the players want that and that helps us, they have been so successful at club level, the majority of them play in the strongest league, the rest who don't play in that league are also involved at the highest level in Europe and the Champions League, and they play in teams that are brave and proactive, that's what we strive for. do it because it makes them feel good.
"I think that creates excitement and creates a certain energy, and we need to have that connection with the fans, the people who are here, with the fans at home, to create something special." Asked about the fact that England are yet to beat a top 20 team under his reign, in a test that will be crucial to winning, he insisted there is a clear difference. He said: "Because this is not a friendly match, we will not experiment, and we will rely on ourselves, and the atmosphere and tension will bring the best out of us."
Tuchel said in his first press conference in October 2024 that he still did not feel worthy to sing the national anthem, a natural reason for the same question now that he is actually taking charge of a big match at the World Cup. "No, I don't think we're there yet. In the end it may be like that, I'm still a bit shy, I don't want to offend people and don't want all the attention on that right now." However, Tuchel agreed with the view that he is someone who "likes England". He said: "Yes, it feels like that. I can't explain it but it felt like that from the first weeks at Chelsea, it felt good to be in this country and this city, and to be part of the Premier League.
“Every day is a gift, almost, feeling like being in the right place with the right mentality of the players, and what the league brings to the players and what the fans expect from the players and from the coaches, it's really... it makes me feel very comfortable, and I've loved it from day one.
"It's been easy for me to adapt, so... I can't say enough how grateful I am, and it's an honor for me to be England head coach and no one wants it more than me. I feel more at home when I land, when I fly home, than I will. I would say now 'I fly home', I fly home to London and feel at home when I land in London and I'm in England."
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