Thomas Tuchel says that England’s players are ready to ‘push’ through the rest of their pre-camp as they continue their preparations for the start of the World Cup 2026.
The Three Lions defeated New Zealand 1-0 last Saturday in a warm-up match, will face Costa Rica on Wednesday and are hosting a behind closed doors training game on Thursday before moving to their base in Kansas for the tournament.
The England boss spoke to assembled media on the eve of the warm-up against Costa Rica and explained a few plans they have for the match including ramping up the intensity and giving more minutes to players who need them.
That could include an Arsenal quartet of Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze who have joined up with the squad late due to their participation in the Champions League final at the end of May.
“No-one needs a break, everyone is available which is very good news.” Tuchel began as he answered a question on the fitness of the squad.
He explained further: “No [injury] complaints after the first match… We are ready to give it a push tomorrow; meaning more than 45 minutes. Players will play 60, maybe 70 minutes. Then, we have a chance to load the players a day later in a match behind closed doors in our training facility, then pre-camp is finished. We then start our adventure two days later in Kansas.
“Tomorrow, we expect a physcial push tomorrow. Physically, [with] intensity and style and play. We want to take the next step and we feel ready for it.”
Of the pre-tournament camp, the England boss feels that the main focus was to reconnect the players, both socially and on the pitch, to reinforce ideas and a style of play they have been building towards since the German took up his role as head coach.
Tuchel explained that this initial aspect of England’s preparation has purposefully been made to be relaxing as the pressure of the World Cup will naturally ramp up once the games begin.
“It’s been very relaxed,” Tuchel said of England’s pre-camp. “We’ve had afternoons off for the players where they can reconnect – they can go out and see friends and family. We had an evening yesterday where friends and family were invited. We had a really lovely barbecue, and there’s been amazing energy in the camp.
“That’s exactly what we had in mind. It should be relaxed – the focus will come by itself. The tension will just rise naturally, especially when we change location to Kansas and then have four days to prepare for the first game.
“Naturally, once we go into the tunnel, it will be match by match after that. The atmosphere has been relaxed and it’s important.”
The German manager was also quick to play down any talk of the Three Lions being amongst the favourites to win the tournament be reiterated that that was the aim for the team.
Tuchel said: “How many favourites are there? No, we’re not the top favourites.
“We can’t be because we haven’t won it for so many years. There are proven winners in the tournament with more success. We compete, we dream big and we know what it takes. Responsibility is on the effort and that is where the focus is.
“We see ourselves as competitors and challengers. We want to go all the way but I don’t think we are the heavy favourites.”
