Washington D.C. – England manager Thomas Tuchel has addressed his players following the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw, which took place Friday in Washington D.C. in a star-studded event featuring prominent political figures. The Three Lions were drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, setting the stage for a challenging but exciting tournament.
Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty of the group, emphasizing the need for respect and thorough preparation. "Difficult group, difficult opener," Tuchel stated. "Difficult group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations". He admitted to being less familiar with Panama but assured that the team would gather sufficient information before the tournament begins.
England will begin their World Cup campaign on June 17 against Croatia, a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final. They will then face Ghana and Panama in their subsequent Group L fixtures. Tuchel stressed the importance of focusing on winning the group, drawing from his experience in the Champions League format. "For me, I'm only experienced group football in Champions League formats and the way to approach it was to always give it the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group," he explained.
Despite the challenges, Tuchel expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete at the highest level. "It always seems difficult like our group now but we are confident and we will be well prepared when we arrive," he affirmed. He cautioned against underestimating any opponent, highlighting the strengths and potential of each team in the group. "Nobody should be underestimated," Tuchel warned. "Of course, Croatia is the standout, they're the highest ranked team from pot two that we got into our group but listen, Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise and has a big history in World Cup football, and also Panama will try to make the most in their underdog role".
Tuchel also addressed the unique conditions of the North American World Cup, including the potential for extreme heat. He confirmed that England would consider measures to mitigate the impact of high temperatures, such as keeping substitutes in the changing room to stay cool. "If this is what helps us later in matches when they come on, we have to consider it a possibility," he stated.
The England manager conveyed excitement about the upcoming tournament and his eagerness to begin. "It's most important that we arrive with hunger," Tuchel said. "We arrive with hunger and with excitement and arrive as a team". He added, "I'm now fully focused on the opponents. I'm looking forward to get the tournament started".
With the draw complete, Tuchel and his team will now focus on developing a comprehensive plan to prepare for the challenges ahead, with the aim of leading England to glory in the 2026 World Cup.
