Thomas Tuchel makes England trophy claim after 'difficult' Nations League draw

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Thomas Tuchel signed on for another two years - and then insisted he believes England can win the World Cup.

Tuchel has committed himself until after the Euros in 2028 and he said the key factor in staying was because England can win the biggest trophies. The England boss was happy to remove any doubt about his long-term future and is also passionate about the “home Euros” in 2028 but firmly believes he can deliver the biggest prize of all this summer.

Tuchel said: “Yes, we believe. Of course we believe. We know how difficult it is and of course some other countries will believe as well but we believe that we can play a strong role – and we will go for it.

“I'm even more proud and the way that we have built through the camps, it grew stronger, this feeling. To have the chance now to go in a complete cycle makes me very excited and very proud.

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“I love the group of players. I love the characters, I love being in charge. I felt the passion in the country when the Euros were held at Wembley.

“From there it was more a dream than a reality. I’m very grateful for the support and trust of the FA and we will put all the effort in to make everyone proud and to keep on going.

“I'm very proud, and I enjoyed the job. It’s very special. The FA wanted and I wanted so it was an easy one.”

Tuchel’s new two-year deal takes him up to Euro 2028 but FA chief executive Mark Bullingham admitted there are “provisions” in the deal just in case it all goes wrong but there are also incentive bonuses. But Bullingham refused to discuss whether there was a break clause.

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“I don’t want to go into that,” he said. “We've appointed him with a view to him being our coach for 2028. Every single person has performance conditions in their contract, you wouldn't expect me to go into those. I've got them as well, but we're really clear that we want him coaching us in 2028.

“This removes any uncertainty. It gives everyone, the support team and the players, that certainty and that's what we've done. He's really enjoying the job. We're really enjoying having him.”

Away from the World Cup, England are back among the European heavyweights after being drawn against Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic in the Nations League.

And it will also herald a revolution in international football with an extended break for the first round of games which will mean no Premier League fixtures for the best part of three weeks at the start of next season. The first four match rounds of fixtures are between September 24 and October 6 which is also designed to help the international calendar to allow other Premier League stars to fly off to play South American qualifiers.

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There are shorter international windows in October and November but Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel admitted the new fixture format will be “ weird ” and said the nation will find it “hard” being without Premier League football at the start of next season.

England regained their top status in 2024 and Tuchel can now expect better and bigger tests in Nations League fixtures. Croatia have become familiar opponents with England also facing them in the World Cup this summer.

Tuchel said: “It will be very new and a bit weird, I have to admit. It is also a bit weird we just had a draw for the World Cup, haven’t played a match, and have already the next draw. You need to forgive me if I am not fully fully focused on the Nations League.

“It seems like a difficult group. It’s Croatia again, Spain, we need to figure out after the World Cup how we approach this period. It is four matches in a row, let’s find out.”

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