Thomas Tuchel has ruled out a major change to England’s playing style during the World Cup, despite the severe heat expected in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The England head coach believes that changing too much would mean moving away from the qualities that give his team its identity.
Since taking charge in January 2025, Tuchel has repeatedly praised the physical nature of English domestic football. He has made it clear that the national team should use that intensity, power and athleticism rather than trying to become something different.
The 52 year old has built his tournament squad with that idea in mind. His 26 man selection placed a clear focus on strength, running power and players who can keep a high tempo.
Tuchel wants England to trust their strengths
Speaking to BBC Sport before England’s World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday at 21:00 BST, Tuchel said his players want to be proactive with the ball.
“They want to be active with the ball,” the German said. “We have a young group. We have a courageous group. We have a brave group of players.
“So let’s go for it. No one guarantees that we win. So we want to at least try it, our style and our belief.”
Conditions at this World Cup have already become a major talking point. Temperatures across the host nations are extremely high, and mandatory hydration breaks have been introduced in every match. Those pauses effectively divide games into four separate periods.
At his news conference before the Croatia fixture, Tuchel said hydration breaks can “change the character of each half”. He accepted that the three minute stops give coaches a chance to reset, adjust and deliver messages to the whole group.
Dallas opener gives England some protection from the heat
England’s first Group L match will be played in Dallas, where temperatures are expected to be above 30C by kick off. However, the impact of the heat should be reduced because Dallas Stadium is one of the indoor, air conditioned venues being used at the tournament.
Tuchel believes that starting in those conditions can help England impose their game on Croatia, especially “because we play indoors”.
Even so, the England boss admitted that the heat has affected his players at their training base in Kansas City.
“Yesterday, it was very hot even here in training,” Tuchel said. “And we could feel that it has more impact than, for example, today. So let’s see.
“I’m just not ready to adapt into a different style of football because of circumstances that we cannot influence. I think we would just give up our strengths.”
Tuchel also used last year’s Club World Cup in the US as part of England’s preparation for this tournament. Together with the Football Association support staff, he studied how the conditions might affect performance.
“Research about the Club World Cup showed us that the style is pretty much the same, but maybe the repetition is less often,” he said.
“So maybe a player has 10 to 15% fewer sprints, less distance. The conditions influenced the volume and the intensity but the style of play not so much.
“In the end we need to have an answer anyway to every scenario.
“So, will we be a lot in possession or will we attack a lot the last third of the opponent? Will they push us back and do we need to defend deep? We need to have answers to everything.”
Chalobah called up after Livramento injury
Tuchel also explained his decision to bring Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah into the squad after Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw because of a calf injury.
“Tino was of course very disappointed and very sad. All of us were,” Tuchel said.
“It was kind of a shock in training and when he stopped training and had the feeling that this could be an injury that costs him the tournament, he was unfortunately right.
“We called Trevoh Chalobah because we then free up Jarell Quansah as a full back on both sides and Djed Spence can be a full back on both sides.
“Trevoh comes as a centre back alternative and gives us full coverage in the back four.”
Kane close to matching Beckham’s England mark
England captain Harry Kane is expected to win his 115th cap against Croatia. That would move him level with former captain David Beckham in third place on England’s all time appearance list, behind only Peter Shilton and Wayne Rooney.
The Bayern Munich striker arrives at the tournament in strong form after scoring 61 goals in 51 club matches and winning the German league and cup double.
“To reach the same number of caps is a great thing for me,” Kane said.
“Beckham was a big idol of mine growing up and obviously hoping and dreaming one day that I would be in the same England shirt as him, that will be a great milestone to hit.”
Kane is one of five players in the current England squad who also featured in the 2018 World Cup semi final defeat against Croatia.
Croatia are expected to include Luka Modric, their midfield leader and 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, who turned 40 last September.
“Some of the players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Modric, being able to do it for 20 plus years is what truly separates the good players from the great players,” Kane said.
“I’m extremely proud of being here again.”
Tuchel not ready to sing the anthem yet
Tuchel says he feels “at home” in England, but he is still not ready to sing the national anthem as Three Lions head coach.
When he took the job last year, the German said he needed to “earn the right” to sing it. With England now preparing to open their World Cup campaign against Croatia, he plans to wait before taking that step.
“I think we are not there yet. At the very end of the tournament, maybe. I am still a bit shy. I don’t want to offend people and don’t want to have the focus on that now,” Tuchel said.
“I cannot say often enough, I’m grateful, and it’s an honour for me to be England head coach and nobody wants it more than me.
“I feel basically at home when I land, when I fly home.
“I would say now ‘I fly home’, I fly home to my home in London and it feels like home.”
