As Thomas Tuchel prepares for the 2026 World Cup in the Americas, he faces a range of tactical puzzles. After a narrow 1-0 victory over Andorra and a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Senegal, there are many voices offering strategic advice, much like that trivia team at your local pub, convinced they hold the solution before hearing the question.
With the World Cup just nine months away, Tuchel’s primary goal is simple: to lift the trophy. Fortunately, he boasts an abundance of world-class talent. His most significant challenge may be finding a way to fit all these players onto the pitch simultaneously.
Tactical Approaches
Darren Bent has his favored system set at 4-3-3, which emphasizes consistency and dynamic flair.
Key Players in the Formation:
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford, with 76 caps, remains Tuchel’s first choice, despite Dean Henderson pressing for a chance.
- Defenders:
- Right Back: Reece James, known for his well-rounded game, edges out Trent Alexander-Arnold due to his attacking contributions.
- Left Back: Miles Lewis-Skelzy is making a mark in this position with impressive attacking returns.
- Center Backs: John Stones and Marc Guehi form the backbone of the defense.
- Midfield: Declan Rice takes the lone holding role, tasked with shielding the back four, even as he typically prefers a more attacking position. Ahead of him, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer add both defensive cover and offensive thrust.
- Forwards: The attacking trio consists of:
- Right Wing: Bukayo Saka
- Striker: Captain Harry Kane
- Left Wing: Jack Grealish, who is currently proving to be a handful for defenses with his unpredictable style.
Alternative Strategies
Andy Goldstein proposes a different setup with a 4-1-4-1 formation, featuring:
- Defensive Line:
- Center Backs: Guehi and Stones
- Full Backs: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw, combining defensive solidity with attacking potency.
- Midfield: Rice remains in front of the back four, while Saka occupies the right, with Bellingham and Palmer centrally placed and Grealish on the left, all facilitating chances for Kane.
Goldstein also highlights a mini-derby in the holding midfield role. While Everton’s Adam Wharton is praised for his balance, Bent views him more as a replacement for Palmer than Rice.
Striking Options
In terms of striking depth, Tuchel has numerous contenders vying for the back-up spot behind Kane. With Ivan Toney being Tuchel’s last option, Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, and Jarrod Bowen are all in the mix to step up if needed.
Tuchel’s 29-Man England Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- James Trafford (Man City)
Defenders:
- Dan Burn (Newcastle)
- Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
- Reece James (Chelsea)
- Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
- Miles Lewis-Skelzy (Arsenal)
- Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
- Djed Spence (Tottenham)
- John Stones (Man City)
Midfielders:
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
- Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards:
- Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)
- Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
- Marcus Rashford (Barcelona)
- Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
With so much talent at his disposal, deciding which strikers to include could become an even more heated debate than the last slice of pizza at a lads’ night in. Tuchel’s choices will be crucial as England looks to make an impact on the world stage.