Sports 11 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Tuchel: England Can Dream of World Cup Glory, But Aren't Top Favorites
Germany manager Thomas Tuchel believes England can "dare to dream" of World Cup success, although he cautions they are not the tournament's top favorites due to their long trophy drought. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/world-cup/tuchel-says-england-not-world-cup-favourites-but-can-dare-to-dream-5492618
England manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that while his team is well-prepared for the upcoming World Cup, they should not be considered among the outright favorites to win the tournament. He pointed to England’s sixty-year wait for a World Cup title, with their sole victory coming in 1966, as a key reason for this assessment.
Tuchel compared England’s situation to a tennis player entering Wimbledon without a previous title, suggesting that while winning is possible, they aren’t the presumptive favorites. “We’re not the top favourites. We can’t be, because we haven’t won it for so, so many years,” he told reporters.
He acknowledged that other teams have a stronger recent track record of success in major tournaments. “There are proven winners in the tournament with more success in recent tournaments. So, these are the favourites, and we compete for the trophy,” Tuchel added. However, he emphasized that belief and the ability to perform in later stages are crucial.
Drawing on his experience in club football, particularly in the Champions League, Tuchel highlighted the importance of a focused, step-by-step approach. “It is my opinion and my conviction that once you reach the quarter-finals, you can go all the way,” he explained. He stressed that the team must concentrate on immediate tasks, like navigating the group stage, without becoming overwhelmed by the overall tournament.
Despite the lack of favorite status, Tuchel confirmed strong belief within the squad. “We all have belief. We all have a dream, but it comes with responsibility and hard work and commitment and discipline, and sometimes it comes with disappointment and setbacks. This is all included, but … we dare to dream and it’s important.”
England is set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Dallas against Croatia, a rematch of their 2018 semi-final.