Tuchel cautious on England prospects

Last updated : 16 December 2024 By Three Lions

Thomas Tuchel is taking nothing for granted over England's World Cup qualifiers after Friday's draw paired the Three Lions with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra, the winners of the group only being guaranteed a place at the 2026 tournament.

Although his side will be strong favourites to take that spot, Tuchel told BBC Sport following the draw: "We have to be serious and determined and show what we're up for.

"The gap closes more and more between the big and small nations. We have to earn our top spot."

The incoming manager will be able to get down to competitive action in March as England are in a five-team qualifying group, those nations in groups of four not getting their matches underway until September.

And Tuchel's bow will come at Wembley after it was confirmed that England will have a home double-header against Albania and Latvia which should, if the games go to form, get them off to a six-point start.

And, with fixtures at the end of a long domestic season sometimes having been problematic over the past few years, the scheduling of an away game against Andorra in June should pose few issues.

That will allow England to then enter the 2025/26 campaign with their focus on what, on paper at least, will be the toughest game of the section, away in Serbia next September.

The excellent England Stats website can tell you about all of the past encounters with the four group opponents.