Tuchel: 'All about the team and the chemistry'

Thomas Tuchel knows chemistry is king when it comes to international success and believes he has found the right blend within his 26-man England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 52 year old’s eagerly-awaited selections were revealed exclusively on a live show on the England app on Friday morning, with preparations now to begin in earnest ahead of the Three Lions’ opening group game against Croatia on 17 June.

Tuchel has largely stayed loyal to the players who helped England qualify in style, winning all eight group games without conceding a goal, and hopes to see a ‘brotherhood’ created across the Atlantic this summer.

“Everything I know and hear about international football is that it is about the team and the chemistry,” he said.

“What we are trying to achieve this summer can only be achieved as a team. We hopefully have a long time together and we are together 24/7.

“A lot of thinking went into these ‘soft’ factors, getting the chemistry right. It is important each player knows their role and we picked a very balanced squad.

“Players feel the love and trust of their coach and if there are doubts, you don’t play to the same level. In the end, it comes down to that. Who do we really trust? Who created a culture, especially from September onwards, who set the standards, who were the leadership group?

"We heavily relied on that. The connection has to be there and you can feel if the energy and chemistry is right. If this really is a brotherhood, the fans will notice and they will see.

“The best group is not necessarily the 26 most talented players. The group and the team will always be the main focus and I hope we have done this in selecting this group. That was the thinking behind it.”

Eighteen players will be appearing on the World Cup stage for the first time, while Harry Kane will equal Billy Wright’s record as he captains his country at the competition for a third time.

Big names including Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire were left out, with Tuchel true to his word when he said he ‘loved’ tough decisions.