England Prepares for World Cup with Tuchel’s Extended Tenure

omidbasir- England’s men’s national team is set to play two friendly matches in March against Uruguay and Japan, prior to the finalization of the 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in the United States. Recently, it was announced that head coach Thomas Tuchel’s contract has been extended for an additional two years, securing his position through the conclusion of the next European Championship.

The former manager of Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain faces significant pressure to end a lengthy 60-year quest for a major trophy for England. With the World Cup approaching in mid-June on North American soil, Tuchel is tasked with harnessing the wealth of talent available to him. He has made it clear that even elite players such as Bellingham, Foden, and Cole Palmer must earn their spots on the team rather than being guaranteed places based on reputation alone.

Currently, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is dealing with an injury, leading to discussions about his working relationship with Tuchel. However, former England forward Wayne Rooney believes Tuchel will likely avoid making any major surprises in his selections, as he aims to maintain harmony among his key players.

On The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney remarked, “I think it’s very clever from the FA and from Thomas Tuchel. If he wanted to stay beyond the World Cup, he clearly does. This agreement takes away all the speculation and keeps the focus on the World Cup.” He recalled a time when Louis van Gaal had to manage speculation surrounding his appointment while coaching the Netherlands at the World Cup, emphasizing the importance of clarity in Tuchel’s situation.

Rooney, who boasts 120 caps and 53 international goals, further explained, “If Tuchel knew he would only be at the World Cup for a short stint, he might make decisions without regard for their long-term impact. Now, he has to consider the next tournament as well, which is a positive outcome of his extended contract.”

He acknowledged that while Tuchel will be making selections with an eye toward the future, he still believes Tuchel will field a competitive team. For instance, if the World Cup were to start tomorrow, he suggested Morgan Rogers might be selected over both Bellingham and Foden, should they all be included in the squad.

England will also face New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida in preparation for the tournament, with the team’s World Cup campaign kicking off against Croatia on June 17. Both Bellingham and Foden will be eager to secure their places in Tuchel’s plans as the tournament approaches.