Skip to main content
Tuchel intends to sound out Southgate before qualifiers
England learn their opponents in preliminary draw for campaign’s kick off in March
England head coach Thomas Tuchel talks to the media after the Uefa Preliminary Draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup at Fifa headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, December 13, 2024

NEW England head coach Thomas Tuchel intends to sound out “gentleman” Gareth Southgate and immediate predecessor Lee Carsley ahead of kicking off the qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

The German has signed an 18-month contract with the FA which starts on January 1, and Tuchel is well aware that his mission is to add a second World Cup star to the England jersey.

Today’s qualification draw pitted his team against Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra, with the group winners securing an automatic place in the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You can read five articles for free every month,
but please consider supporting us by becoming a subscriber.
Similar stories
England manager Thomas Tuchel during the 2026 Fifa World Cup
Men's Football / 23 March 2025
23 March 2025
England's Jordan Henderson (left) ahead of the international
Men’s football / 14 March 2025
14 March 2025
England manager defends naming ‘serial winner’ in his first squad
Newly appointed England head coach Thomas Tuchel with FA CEO
Men's Football / 16 October 2024
16 October 2024
Thomas Tuchel, April 16, 2024
Men's Football / 15 October 2024
15 October 2024