The three big questions facing Thomas Tuchel after England qualify for 2026 World Cup

It was no surprise, but on Tuesday night, England secured a place at next year’s World Cup with a 5-0 win against Latvia.

Unbeaten during this qualifying campaign and not a single goal conceded, manager Thomas Tuchel can now begin to plan for a summer where he is expected to be lifting the trophy with the Three Lions on July 19.

Already during his year in charge, Tuchel has made some interesting decisions both on and off the pitch, and the hysteria which surrounds the England team will go up a notch with qualification secured.

Ahead of getting on the plane to North America, and Mexico, DAZN News’ Matt Astbury looks at three of the big questions facing Tuchel before the biggest tournament in football.

How to solve the Jude Bellingham problem

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One thing that is for sure under Tuchel’s reign is regardless of how ‘big’ a name you are, it does not guarantee a place in the England squad.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham falls into this category. In the later years of Gareth Southgate’s managerial tenure, Bellingham was often the man to get England out of sticky situations, his overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024 a prime example.

However, it appears that Tuchel is not Bellingham’s biggest fan. Maybe calling the 22-year-old ‘repulsive’ earlier this year was lost in translation, but there seems to be some conflict. This will no doubt have been heightened by Morgan Rodgers excelling in the number 10 role and being involved in all nine of Tuchel’s matches in charge so far.

It would be a huge error for Bellingham to not be included in forthcoming England squads, especially at the World Cup, but once he comes back into the fold, he will have to become a system player rather than trying to be the centre of everything for this England team.

There will be moments where Bellingham can seize matches by the scruff of the neck, but heaping all the hopes on his shoulders will be a disservice to both the team as a whole and a player who already is under the microscope.

Who will be Harry Kane’s back-up?

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At this stage, it feels like Harry Kane is indestructible as England’s captain.

Two goals against Latvia on Tuesday night moved his international tally to 76, but going into a World Cup there is concern, especially when it comes to rotation in England’s forward line.

It’s no secret that the heat will be a problem for the European teams, and while Kane is a certain starter, plans need to be put in place for a back-up whether in a substitution or injury scenario.

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins seems like the obvious choice, and he did score against Wales in a friendly last week, however, his club form has been underwhelming. There is also Chelsea’s Liam Delap, Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke or even former Brentford striker Ivan Toney who has featured in Tuchel’s squad despite playing in the Saudi Pro League.

While it looks like an embarrassment of riches, there is a challenge to keep some of these players fit, especially Delap and Solanke.

If I was Tuchel, I would rest Kane for the two dead rubbers against Serbia and Albania in November and test out some new faces in the number nine role. The chances to find a solution are quickly vanishing for Tuchel, and being able to have a different threat in the goalscoring department could be the difference between football coming home next summer.

Is Thomas Tuchel ready for the World Cup carnival?

So far, manager Tuchel has dealt fairly well with the media.

Immediately fingers will be pointed towards the Bellingham comments after the loss to Senegal in June, and the criticism of the fans against Wales this past Thursday. However, Tuchel has been articulate with whatever questions are asked of him and is not afraid to be honest, something which several England managers have shied away from for one reason or another.

But if he thinks that the media attention he is getting now is intense, then it will go up another level at the World Cup. All it will take is just one sub-par performance to prompt mass negativity, intense scrutiny and dread.

It will be Tuchel’s job to minimise the outside noise and avoid it transferring to England’s players who will have the hopes of a nation resting on their shoulders.

There is also the added pressure of the FA labelling this World Cup as the one they plan to win, therefore, if Tuchel can keep the noise at bay, then England will be in a strong position to lift the trophy.

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