Yahoo Sports Thomas Tuchel offers lifeline to outcast Ben White and says: I’m the man for England
Thomas Tuchel has wiped the slate clean for all England outcasts as he bids to prove “I’m the man” to those who do not think a German should be manager of the national team.
The new head coach, who officially starts work at the start of January, was in Zurich to see England handed a relatively inviting route to World Cup 2026. Qualifiers against Serbia, Albania, and Andorra – all recent opponents in competitive fixtures – and a first-ever fixture with Latvia will begin in March.
Tuchel, representing England for the first time in an official capacity, said he was impatient to get to work, having maintained a low profile since being appointed in October. The former Chelsea manager is the third foreign coach to take charge of England, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. But the first German in the post insists he has ignored the debate from fans and pundits over whether he should have been appointed.
When put to him that reaction had been “mixed”, Tuchel said: “No, no hard feelings for that. Of course, it will always be mixed. So now I have to prove myself, and to the people who are maybe a bit concerned – to prove to them how much it means to me and that it’s a dream job for me that I will give my everything, and I’m the man for the job.”
Tuchel, who had volunteered to drive across the German border to the draw in Zurich, has declined to attend any England or Premier League matches while he waits to officially start on January 1. He maintained “we are already in deep planning” to start the job, but revealed he has yet to speak to any players or confirm whether Harry Kane will remain as England captain.
There is a clean slate for Ben White, however, should he be willing to return to the England fold. The path may also be clear for the likes of Chelsea’s Jadon Sancho to force his way back into England reckoning.
“It should be clean and a clean start and a clear narrative,” said Tuchel. “It starts from January. I will be in the stadiums from January. I will also not distract the players and they should just know, ‘OK, the boss is there from January’. Then I will of course try to speak to them.”
Tuchel, who said he has yet to have a full handover discussion with interim manager Lee Carsley, diplomatically described the group England now face ahead of World Cup 2026 as “difficult”.
“I feel good,” he said. “I feel full of energy, and I can’t wait to be back on the pitch and be close to players and feel them, and feel the dressing room. It’s the best [place] you can be.”
No guarantee for Kane
Tuchel paid tribute to Kane, meanwhile, as a “top captain”, but said he was not ready to confirm he was going to continue in the role. “No, not that far, but there’s at the moment no need to think about the change,” he said. “I’m in charge from January. Harry was also always a top captain for England. So why do you even think about it at the moment? You cross the river when you’re at the river.”
Tuchel has yet to finalise his backroom staff, but expressed excitement at “amazing coaches” coming in. Anthony Barry has come in as an assistant – and Henrique Hilário has agreed to join him as goalkeeper coach from Chelsea – but the group is expected to be smaller than some of his predecessors’ entourages. “I wanted to make a smaller programme and I’m very, very happy with the people,” he said. “I can guarantee that we have fantastic people and amazing coaches coming in.”
A five-team group means Tuchel is now guaranteed a qualifier in one of his first two matches as head coach in March. Serbia will be most confident about their chances after cursing their misfortune at Euro 2024, when a Jude Bellingham goal secured an underwhelming victory for England.
The group will have security officials on high alert. Violence broke out between Serbian and England fans last June at Euro 2024 in Germany, while Serbia and Albania also have a long history of trouble amid geopolitical tensions.
Serbia’s football federation was punished on Friday for racist acts by fans at two Nations League games, including trying to burn an Albania flag in Switzerland. Serbia’s federation was banned from selling tickets for the team’s next two away games in Uefa competitions, and must close parts of the stadium at two home games. It remains to be seen whether that could affect the nation’s fixture at Wembley, which is yet to be decided.
Tuchel promised England will be “ready” in March, as he explained why he had stayed away from fixtures while Carsley finished the Nations League campaign as interim manager.
“Why would I sit in the stands? If we make a decision that I’m in charge, then I would be at the sideline,” he said. “So in the moment, it was my wish to let Lee finish this campaign, because obviously the FA had the agreement with Lee, more or less, to go through this Nations League campaign.
“Why have the cameras on me? Why have the focus on me? What about Lee and his team? It’s for me, a way to show my respect and to show my trust, to not be there and have all the media attention.
“So that was very clear. But like I said, we watched a lot of matches lately, of course... we are already in deep planning of how to do and how to build a group, and how to influence this group.”
Wales have been drawn against Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein in qualifying. Scotland have been drawn against Portugal or Denmark, Greece and Belarus. Northern Ireland have been drawn against Germany or Italy, Slovakia and Luxembourg. The Republic of Ireland have been drawn against Portugal or Denmark, Hungary and Armenia.
For Friday’s draw, the 54 eligible Uefa nations were split into six groups of four teams, and six groups of five teams. Russia remain suspended.
England were in pot one with the top seeds, so avoided European champions Spain, 2022 World Cup finalists France, plus Germany and Italy.
Proposed summer friendlies for England against USA and Canada next summer have been cancelled following Friday’s draw. One of England’s qualifiers is now certain to clash, although the schedule for the five nation group has yet to be announced.
12:27 PM GMT
Reader reaction
Joey Deacon
A swathe of dull games for England. Kids for a quid or the crowd won’t bother to go.
James Bolland
I remember long ago, it seems now, being excited at the prospect of the World Cup draw and eagerly awaiting to see who the opponents would be. I suspect however that I am not alone in finding minimal interest now. Somehow along the way, it has been watered down with too many “also ran” teams cluttering things up.
John Williams
Ask the average football fan if they want the domestic season disrupted on a monthly basis because England are playing the likes of Albania and Serbia. My guess would be that there’s a big drop off in interest in what the national team are doing and a lot of resentment at the constant interruption of the league season to accommodate tedious international fixtures.
12:13 PM GMT
Who will England play?
England and Thomas Tuchel will be fairly pleased with the group below. With their respective nations, England should finish with maximum points. Matches against Andorra would be a good time to experiment too.
Serbia (32nd in the world)
Albania (65th in the world)
Latvia (140th in the world)
Andorra (171st in the world)
Dragan Stojkovic, who will lead the Serbia team that faces England in Group K, is always good value. He previously said England had been lucky to win 1-0 against his side last summer at Euro 2024.
12:07 PM GMT
World Cup 2026 qualifying draw in full
Group A: Winner of Germany vs Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser of Portugal vs Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner of France vs Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
12:02 PM GMT
And that concludes the draw.
We’re all done. Breathless stuff!
12:01 PM GMT
POT 5: Group L
Gibraltar join the loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro and Faroe Islands.
12:00 PM GMT
POT 5: Group J
Liechtenstein join Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia and Kazakhstan.
11:59 AM GMT
POT 5: Group K
Andorra join England, Serbia, Albania and Latvia.
11:59 AM GMT
POT 5: Group I
Moldova join the loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway, Israel and Estonia.
11:58 AM GMT
POT 5: Group H
San Marino join Austria, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus.
11:58 AM GMT
POT 5: Group G
Malta join the loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania.
11:56 AM GMT
POT 4: Group F
Armenia join the winner of Portugal vs Denmark, Hungary and Republic of Ireland.
11:55 AM GMT
POT 4: Group L
Faroe Islands join the loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic and Montenegro
11:55 AM GMT
POT 4: Group K
Latvia join England, Serbia and Albania.
11:54 AM GMT
POT 4: Group E
Bulgaria join the winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkey and Georgia to complete the group.
11:53 AM GMT
POT 4: Group J
Kazakhstan join Belgium, Wales and North Macedonia
11:53 AM GMT
POT 4: Group I
Estonia join the loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway and Israel.
11:52 AM GMT
POT 4: Group H
Cyprus join Austria, Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
11:52 AM GMT
POT 4: Group G
Lithuania join the loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland and Finland.
11:51 AM GMT
POT 4: Group D
Azerbaijan join the winner of France vs Croatia, Ukraine and Iceland to complete the group.
11:50 AM GMT
POT 4: Group C
Belarus join the loser of Portugal vs Denmark, Greece and Scotland to complete the group.
11:49 AM GMT
POT 4: Group B
Kosovo join Switzerland, Sweden and Slovenia to complete the group.
11:49 AM GMT
POT 4: Group A
Luxembourg join the winner of Germany vs Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland
11:46 AM GMT
The groups as it stands
Group A: Winner of Germany vs Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia
Group C: Loser of Portugal vs Denmark, Greece, Scotland
Group D: Winner of France vs Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland
Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland
Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland, Finland
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group I: Loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway, Israel
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania
Group L: Loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro
11:44 AM GMT
POT 3: Group F
Republic of Ireland are the final team out and they join the winner of Portugal vs Denmark and Hungary.
11:43 AM GMT
POT 3: Group L
Montenegro join the loser of France vs Croatia and Czech Republic in Group L.
11:42 AM GMT
POT 3: Group E
Turkey join Georgia with winner of Spain vs Netherlands.
11:41 AM GMT
POT 3: Group K
Albania join Serbia and England.
11:41 AM GMT
POT 3: Group D
Iceland, Ukraine and Spain or Netherlands
11:40 AM GMT
POT 3: Group J
North Macedonia join Belgium and Wales.
11:39 AM GMT
POT 3: Group I
Israel join Norway with either Germany or Italy.
11:39 AM GMT
POT 3: Group H
Bosnia join Romania and Austria here.
11:38 AM GMT
POT 3: Group G
Finland will play Poland and loser of Spain vs Netherlands.
11:37 AM GMT
POT 3: Group C
Scotland will play Greece and loser of Portugal vs Denmark.
11:37 AM GMT
POT 3: Group B
Slovenia are drawn with Switzerland and Sweden.
11:36 AM GMT
POT 3: Group A
Northern Ireland are drawn with Slovakia and Germany or Italy.
11:34 AM GMT
POT 2: Group L
Czech Republic join the loser of France vs Croatia.
11:33 AM GMT
POT 2: Group K
Serbia join England in this group.
11:33 AM GMT
POT 2: Group J
Belgium join Wales in this group.
11:33 AM GMT
POT 2: Group I
Norway will play either Germany or Italy
11:32 AM GMT
POT 2: Group H
Romania join Austria here.
11:32 AM GMT
POT 2: Group F
Hungary will play the winner of Portugal vs Denmark
11:31 AM GMT
POT 2: Group E
Turkey will play the winner of Spain vs Netherlands
11:30 AM GMT
POT 2: Group D
Ukraine will play either France vs Croatia.
11:30 AM GMT
POT 2: Group C
Greece will play either Portugal or Denmark.
11:30 AM GMT
POT 2: Group G
Poland are drawn out and will play either Spain or the Netherlands.
11:29 AM GMT
POT 2: Group B
Sweden join Switzerland in this group.
11:28 AM GMT
POT 2: Group A
Slovakia are drawn out
11:26 AM GMT
Group F
Winner of Portugal vs Denmark is drawn here.
11:25 AM GMT
Group L
Loser of France vs Croatia is drawn here.
11:25 AM GMT
Group E
Winner of Spain vs Netherlands is drawn here.
11:24 AM GMT
Group D
Winner of France vs Croatia is drawn here.
11:23 AM GMT
Group K
Tuchel’s England are drawn here by Pires
11:23 AM GMT
Group J
Belgium are drawn out.
11:23 AM GMT
Group I
Germany or Italy are drawn again. The loser of this Nations League quarter-final match will be in this group.
11:21 AM GMT
Group H
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria are draw.
11:20 AM GMT
Group G
Spain or the Netherlands. Group D, E and F have been reserved.
11:19 AM GMT
Group C
Portugal or Denmark
11:19 AM GMT
Group B
Pires pulls about Switzerland
11:18 AM GMT
Group A
Germany or Italy are the first teams placed
11:09 AM GMT
‘Tuchel’s first day in charge’
Thomas Tuchel is here. He whisked past the mix zone shortly before the draw, having attended a briefing with the other managers hosted by Arsene Wenger. He will be speaking to reporters afterwards. Effectively this is Tuchel’s first day in charge of the England football team.
11:08 AM GMT
Who will conduct the draw?
Former footballers Ariane Hingst, Fernando Llorente, Gianluca Zambrotta, Rachel Yankey and Robert Pires will serve as draw assistants when it gets underway.
11:02 AM GMT
Here we go!
Our host Semra Hunter is all smiles as she strides onto the podium to start the draw show.
10:58 AM GMT
Best and worst case scenarios for England
Best: Slovakia, Montenegro, Luxembourg, Gibraltar
Worst: Norway, Scotland, Bulgaria, Moldova
Tuchel and England would not want to come up against Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard of Norway or Scotland, despite a strong recent record.
10:53 AM GMT
The Pots
Pot 1: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria
Pot 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway
Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel
Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Kosovo, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania
Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino
10:48 AM GMT
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10:41 AM GMT
England’s new man arrives in Zurich
Thomas Tuchel is here for the @FIFAWorldCup qualifying draw! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/KkYj9aNJN7
— England (@England) December 13, 2024
10:33 AM GMT
World Cup qualifying draw
Hello and welcome to coverage of the draw for the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers.
We are 545 days or one year, five months and 29 days away from the next men’s World Cup which will be held in North America.
Today, 54 European nations will be split into 12 groups (six groups of four teams, and six groups of five teams).
16 of them will qualify for the first 48-team finals - the 12 qualifying group winners automatically, and then four further teams via play-offs to be played in March 2026.
Sixteen countries will go into those play-offs - the 12 qualifying group runners-up plus the four best-ranked group winners from the Nations League who did not either win their group or finish runner-up in main qualifying. Ahead of starting his job in the new year, Thomas Tuchel will be in Zurich, Switzerland to discover England’s opponents.
The draw could put England on collision course with Wales plus one of Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.
The 2026 World Cup will be held across three host countries after the United States, Canada and Mexico fended off a strong proposal from Morocco.
The matches will be played across 16 cities – 11 from the US, two in Canada and three in Mexico. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will all be held in the States.
The following cities will be hosting at least one World Cup match: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver.
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the final on July 19, 2026. The venue has a capacity of 82,500.
The stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets, has hosted the Super Bowl and recently sold-out shows by pop superstars such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce.
