England: Thomas Tuchel talks Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and World Cup prospects because the Three Lions uncover their 2026 qualifying opponents | Soccer information

Thomas Tuchel spoke with Sky Sports activities Information” Chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol after the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw and answered questions on a collection of massive speaking factors about taking on as England head coach – together with whether or not Harry Kane would stay a primary selection and captain.

England’s prime scorer confronted criticism throughout Euro 2024 and was named on the bench by interim boss Lee Carsley for the must-win Nations League match in Greece final month.

Learn on to see what Tuchel taught us about his views on Kane and his position within the group, in addition to his verdict on Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer, England’s opponents within the qualifying group for the World Cup, the place he will likely be based mostly when he begins work from January 1 and whether or not he has had switch conversations with Carsley and former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate…

Kane appears to be like set to stay captain and common starter beneath Tuchel…

“There isn’t any want in the mean time to think about different choices. It is like Harry for everybody too, we’re completely… I like him, for his high quality, for his management, for his character .The gamers finally determine whether or not they play or they do not play, it is all the time like that.

“I am completely satisfied to have this group of gamers, together with Harry, with nice personalities and high quality. The job now’s to search out and construct the perfect group in order that individuals are excited to observe us, that they really feel impressed watching this group.”

Tuchel will likely be a distinguished presence at Premier League matches beginning in January…

“You will notice me within the stadiums from January, sure. The work begins from the signing as a result of we’re getting engaged [in the project] and right this moment [the draw] It was the beginning of the World Cup marketing campaign, so clearly we’ve got to be there.”

However the place will it’s based mostly?

“I will not let you know my tackle! In any other case you may be in entrance of my home each week! I such as you however not that a lot!

“In fact we will likely be at St George’s Park very frequently [the FA’s national football centre] as a result of that is the place our base is and that is the place we wish to create an environment and that is the place we’re completely satisfied to have interaction with everybody who works for the FA. We wish to work together with them, we wish to use high quality and really feel the place.

“We are going to watch loads of matches from January onwards. I wish to see the matches dwell, I’ll speak to the gamers – however I can’t intervene an excessive amount of as a result of they’re membership gamers and they need to concentrate on that. You will notice us so much within the stadiums from January.”

What does he consider England’s Nations League performances beneath Lee Carsley in November, after they beat Greece and the Republic of Eire to return to the highest tier?

“In fact I watched the video games, I needed Lee good luck after which congratulated him. I am completely satisfied as a result of I assumed the choice was nonetheless the correct one, for Lee to do the entire marketing campaign and let him end the job. He did a terrific job, the gamers did a terrific job.

“It was troublesome as a result of that they had loads of accidents and so they desperately wanted a end in Greece. They saved their guarantees and did their job. Congratulations, effectively finished. We watched on TV.”

Did England appear like World Cup winners?

“I knew it earlier than and watching the matches, we’ve got the gamers, the expertise and the traits to go far. However now we first must show it within the qualifiers. The gaps between the 2 groups are getting nearer and nearer extra. “

How does Cole Palmer match right into a Thomas Tuchel England group?

“It’s kind of too far, in terms of particular person gamers! However he is positively in fine condition, I feel everybody would agree on that. I hope he can develop additional and keep the extent Everybody likes to observe him. He’s cool, composed, he’s very medical in ending and helping, very spectacular in the mean time.

There was no large Carsley switch – and no Three Lions file!

“We’ve exchanged messages however there is no such thing as a well-known file! We will likely be working from January at St George’s and I hope it is going to turn out to be very common and regular for us to satisfy and have an change as a result of its perspective pursuits me on the purposes. [selections]concerning the video games, concerning the potential of the group and the way he felt concerning the group and its experiences. We are going to keep in contact. He’s the U21 coach so very near me and we’ve got sufficient time from January [to talk]”.

A catch-up with Gareth Southgate can also be probably in 2025…

“Not but. However that is nonetheless to come back. He is a gentleman and we met earlier than after I was at Chelsea. It was a pleasure speaking to him. Why not?”

Tuchel won’t take England’s World Cup qualifying opponents evenly, with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra drawn to face the Three Lions…

“I’ve immense respect for Serbia and Albania. They’ll all the time shock. They’ve a powerful historical past of soccer, technical soccer, emotional crowds, emotional gamers and emotional teams. They’ve former gamers well-known as coaches, so we must be very conscious of that.

“England have by no means performed Latvia so it is a new expertise for all of us, after which we’ve got Andorra the place we’re large favorites however we’ve got to qualify, that is an important factor. “That is the place all the eye is. There is not any different method than to take it critically, take it with respect, and make it occur earlier than you’ll be able to dream.”

And at last, do not anticipate him to begin carrying fits…

[Speaking in a smart suit] – “It is a change! An FA tie, even! It is snug. It will not be my look on the bench. I want extra freedom to maneuver. However for the event, it was good to to hold !”

European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup: the important thing dates

• Group stage match dates: March 21-25, June 6-10, September 4-9, October 9-14 and November 13-18, 2025
• Play-off dates: March 26-31, 2026
• Last section dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026

When and the place will the 2026 World Cup happen?

The 2026 FIFA Males’s World Cup will happen from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The event will happen in 16 cities in three North American nations: UNITED STATES, Canada And Mexico. That is the primary time {that a} World Cup has been organized by three nations.

The final time North America hosted the event was in 1994, when Brazil triumphed after beating Italy on penalties.

An expanded World Cup will convey collectively 48 groups – 16 greater than Qatar 2022 – and can happen in three host nations for the primary time.

2026 World Cup – certified groups

To date, solely three groups are certain of their place within the ultimate: the hosts United States, Canada And Mexico.

2026 World Cup Schedule

The total schedule of group matches and kick-off occasions will solely be out there after the draw for the ultimate event, which FIFA expects to happen in direction of the tip of 2025.

However FIFA has already introduced key dates and confirmed that the opening match will likely be held in Mexico Metropolis and the ultimate will likely be performed at New York New Jersey Stadium, residence of the New York Giants and Jets.

Group stage: June 11-27 Spherical of 16: June 28 to July 3 Spherical of 16: July 4-7 Quarter-finals: July 9/11 Semi-finals: July 14-15 Play-off for third place (“Bronze Last”): July 18 Last: July 19