Thomas Tuchel has promised that England will be “brave” in this World Cup, and that a big “occasion” like that against Croatia “will bring out the best in us”.
England finally open their tournament in Dallas’ AT&T Stadium on Wednesday, although the German insisted that it is not yet big enough for him to sing the national anthem.
He did instead discuss how much he sees the country as “home”, as he aims to bring back a first trophy in 60 years.
Tuchel believes the key to that will be an adventurous approach that the squad are already used to.
He said: “I think we should play brave and play to the strengths of the players. I feel clearly that the players want it and that it helps us, and that they are successful in club football like this, they compete in the strongest league, most of them, the others who are not in the league compete in the highest level in Europe and Champions League and they play in brave and active teams and that’s what we try because it makes them comfortable.
“I think it makes things excited and creates a certain energy, and we need a connection with our fans, who are here, with the fans at home, to create something special.”
When it was put to Tuchel that England have still not actually beaten a top-20 side under him, in a challenge that is going to be crucial to victory, he insisted there was an obvious difference.
He said: “Because it’s not a friendly match, we will not try stuff, and we will rely on us, and the occasion and the tension will bring out the best in us.”
Tuchel had said in his very first press conference back in October 2024 that he didn’t yet feel he has earned the right to sing the national anthem, an explanation that naturally warranted the same question now that he’s actually taking charge for a big World Cup match.
“Not yet, I think we are not there yet. At the very end maybe, I am still a bit shy, I don’t want to offend people and don’t want to have the focus on that now.”
Tuchel nevertheless agreed with the view that he is an “Anglophile”.
He said: “Yeah, it feels like that. I can’t explain it but it felt like this from the first weeks at Chelsea, it just felt so good to be in the country and in the city of course, and be a part of Premier League.
“Everyday was a gift, almost, it just felt like to be in the right place with the right mindset of players, and what the league brings out of players and what the fans expect from the players, and from the coach, it was just… it just made me feel very comfortable, and I liked it from the first day.
“It was so easy for me to adapt, that’s why… I cannot say often enough, I’m grateful, and it’s an honour for me to be England head coach and nobody wants it more than me.
“I feel basically at home when I land, when I fly home, than I would. I would say now ‘I fly home’, I fly home to my home in London and it feels like home when I land in London and I’m in England.”
