After an early exit in 2022, champions England arrived in 2026 with a point to prove. Under Thomas Tuchel, they were ready to write the next chapter.
England arrive in 2026 under Thomas Tuchel appointed in late 2024 as the first permanent foreign head coach of the Three Lions. The German brought a Champions League with Chelsea and Bundesliga titles with Bayern. His squad inherits a decade of development work from Gareth Southgate: a deep, young talent pool led by Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice. England has reached the semi-finals (2018) and final (Euro 2020 and Euro 2024) of its last three major tournaments.
England emerged from the group stage unbeaten, showing resilience in a tough opening round. They edged past DR Congo in the Round of 32, found a way past Mexico in the Round of 16, held off Norway in the Quarter-finals, and were narrowly knocked out by Argentina in the Semi-finals. Though the semi-final defeat was a bitter blow, England rallied to claim third place and left the tournament with heads held high.
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4 consecutive wins averaged 2.5 goals per match.
Jude Bellingham, 22, has already won two La Liga titles and a Champions League at Real Madrid. His late, winning goals at Euro 2024 made him the face of the England side before he turned 21. 2026 is his first World Cup as unquestioned leader of the midfield.
3of 20 goals from the spot
Jude Bellingham led England's attack with 7 goals 2 in the group stage, 2 in the round of 16, 2 in the quarter-finals and 1 in the third-place match at the 2026 World Cup. A specialist in decisive moments, with goals in the closing stages that changed the course of matches.
Tuchel's appointment in October 2024 broke an FA tradition dating back to the 1960s no foreign-born permanent England coach. He spent his first months overhauling England's tactical profile toward a more proactive, higher-pressing style. His Champions League 2021 with Chelsea, won against Manchester City, remains a calling-card match. 6 wins from 8 under Tuchel leading England at his first World Cup.
Tuchel took the caution out of England. They scored four against Croatia, three in Mexico City, and six in a third-place match that finished 6-4 then conceded ten across the knockouts. The most entertaining England in decades, and the least careful.
