A German is coaching England at the World Cup. Let that sink in for a moment.
Thomas Tuchel, appointed as England’s head coach in October 2024, has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The squad was revealed on May 22, 2026, ahead of England’s opening match against Croatia on June 17. It’s England’s most ambitious bid for the trophy since 1966, the only year the country has ever won the tournament, and the man tasked with ending that 60-year drought isn’t even English.
How England got here
Tuchel’s appointment was announced on October 16, 2024, making him the third non-British permanent manager of England’s men’s team, and the first German to hold the position. He officially started the role on January 1, 2025, under an initial 18-month contract designed to carry the team through the World Cup cycle.
Tuchel’s resume includes winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, managing Paris Saint-Germain to domestic dominance, and coaching Bayern Munich. His approach to the 2026 squad has emphasized team cohesion and collective performance over individual star power.
