'We can go a long way' - Thomas Tuchel confident England can win 2026 World Cup

The England squad begins a 10-day training camp in Florida this week, with Tuchel convinced his players have the quality and unity needed to challenge for football's biggest prize.

Speaking before departing for the United States, Tuchel says recent interactions with his players have strengthened his confidence in the group.

"When I reconnected with the players and built our training sessions and meetings, I saw a lot of quality," Tuchel said. "That instantly gave me the full belief and excitement that we can go a long way."

The England boss also points to the strong bond within the squad as another reason for optimism. He reveals that even players who miss out on selection have offered their support.

"The reactions from the players have been beautiful," Tuchel said. "Even players who were not called up wished us all the best. It tells me the players care and that we are on the right path."

England's preparations are heavily focused on coping with the challenging conditions expected at the World Cup, which will be hosted across North America. Temperatures could rise into the high 30s Celsius, while humidity levels are expected to be demanding.

The Football Association has spent more than a year planning for those conditions, using specialist heat chambers and detailed performance monitoring to help players adapt.

Tuchel acknowledges the challenge but insists England will not use the weather as an excuse.

"The heat is one of the challenges, but we are prepared already," he said. "We know the individual reactions of the players, we have cooling strategies in place and we know how to manage the workload. It is an obstacle to overcome, but it should not become an excuse."

Several players, including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Ebere Eze and Dean Henderson, are given additional recovery time following recent Champions League final commitments and will join the squad later this week.

Despite the staggered arrivals, Tuchel is eager to begin work with the group.

"I can't wait to get on the plane, arrive in Florida and do what I love the most, which is be a coach," he said.

England's next match is a friendly against New Zealand on Saturday, June 6 in Tampa, Florida. Following that, Tuchel's side will play one final warm-up fixture against Costa Rica on Wednesday, June 10

England will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in Group L against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama starting on 17 June.