England's World Cup Quest: Tuchel's Fireworks After a Perfect Qualifying Run
17 November 2025
England's perfect World Cup qualifying under Tuchel
England wrapped up their World Cup qualifying campaign in style, securing eight wins from eight games. They beat Albania and conceded zero goals, scoring 22 in total under German coach Thomas Tuchel. The performance has raised expectations ahead of the finals.
The English FA appointed Tuchel, the man who replaced Gareth Southgate, with a clear mission: to bring the World Cup home. This bold choice signals a shift toward a trophy-focused mindset.
With the first phase of Tuchel's project complete, he moves into a period of deep thinking as he weighs a final squad and tactical setup for the tournament.
Key selection battles ahead of the World Cup
One hot topic is the No 10 role. Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers have been central to the debate. Tuchel has described the rivalry as friendly, yet he clearly believes internal competition can lift the team.
Rogers benefited from Bellingham's shoulder injury and delivered eye-catching performances, keeping him in the mix even after Bellingham's return. Bellingham did not reclaim a starting berth immediately and played only 25 minutes as a sub against Serbia at Wembley.
In Tirana Bellingham started and showed precise passing, driving runs, and a dangerous moment that nearly became a goal, while also showing some frustration after a yellow card and a late substitution. Tuchel says he will reassess these moments.
Rogers has begun Tuchel's tenure with strong form, while the coach weighs whether to lean on Bellingham's experience or Rogers' dynamic movement. The numbers back up the story: Rogers has started six of ten Tuchel games, with 531 minutes; Bellingham has started four and logged 374 minutes. The presence of Phil Foden, a hybrid 9-10, and Cole Palmer adds more options in attack.
Another central question is who leads the line. Kane remains England's top scorer, but Tuchel must consider who can reliably support him. Welbeck and Watkins have been mentioned, but neither is a perfect Kane alternative. Marcus Rashford has pushed for a central role, while Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke are also in the mix. Jack Grealish and Eberechi Eze could feature if fit. The goal is a balance of experience and freshness.
Defensively, Stones delivered a standout performance in Tirana, offering versatility as a ball-playing defender. Tuchel may favor a back four, with the battle for center-back spots involving Stones, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Jarell Quansah. New signing Quansah has already shown confidence in central defense and as a right-back option.
The left-back slot remains unsettled as March's international window approaches, with several contenders from City and Spurs in the mix and a need for consistency at club level.
The bottom line is that England's World Cup fate will hinge on a blend of proven performers and emerging talents, Kane's form and availability, and Tuchel's ability to harmonize a squad still learning to win big trophies. The countdown to the tournament has begun.
Punchline time: If Tuchel turns this squad into a scalpel, the World Cup will tremble at every incisive pass. And remember, if you can’t find a gap, create one—then hope the ball finds Kane.
