The England national football team is the first to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup finals. They did just that, having crushed Latvia 5-0 in a must-win game. Thomas Tuchel, the club’s new head coach, is prepared to continue the attacking style the club has adopted. They’re preparing for the important upcoming qualifying matches versus Serbia and Albania.
Tuchel hasn’t seen Jude Bellingham face to face since June. Now, he’s being criticized for omitting the young midfielder from his October squad — a call that’s created quite the elaborated debate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this decision did not play well as part of Tuchel’s effort to make support of squad cohesion and stability a priority.
In a recent international friendly, England reinforced that strength with a 3-0 victory over Wales. This victory assured them of their continued upreachment atop Group K, where they have already solidified 1st place. As England get ready for their upcoming games, Tuchel reiterated his point that solidarity in the group will be key.
Tuchel stated, “We want to keep this thing going and we want to be competitive in the next two matches.” He cautioned that any returners to the camp needed to be all-in on the attitude of the team’s new culture. He labeled this pledge as a “non-negotiable.”
England are hoping to get match-fit as they approach their next fixture. Prior to naming his squad for the November camp, the coach will have a conversation with Bellingham. Tuchel remarked on Bellingham’s potential impact on the team, saying, “I guess so, why not? Of course. He is a big player, an important player.”
Though there was some debate over Bellingham being left out, Tuchel made it clear that this was not meant to be a punishment for the player. “It is not a punishment; they have not done anything wrong,” he explained. Tuchel expressed confidence that players invited back into the fold would embrace the team’s ethos, saying, “I am sure that if we invite them, we are sure that they will buy in.”
In preparation for the next matches, Tuchel must consider injuries affecting players like Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, and Cole Palmer, which could influence his selection process.
The upcoming qualifiers against Serbia at home and Albania away present an opportunity for England to reinforce its position and continue building towards World Cup success.
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