England manager Thomas Tuchel has struck a pragmatic tone after his side learned their fate for the 2026 World Cup, following a draw ceremony in Washington D.C. that will be remembered as much for its bizarre spectacle as for the footballing fixtures it produced.
The Three Lions were drawn into Group C, where they will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. The precise venues and kick-off times for these matches are yet to be finalized, but the group stage will see England play across cities in the United States and Canada.
Tuchel, while acknowledging the challenges ahead, was keen to shift focus away from hypothetical future opponents and potential logistical hurdles. “We don’t worry about our opponents. We don’t worry about what can happen,” he stated. “Just focus on what we can really influence. This is the mindset and the energy that we want to keep on having.”
The draw itself was an elaborate production, lasting nearly 90 minutes before the actual footballing business began. The lengthy ceremony featured several unusual moments that dominated post-event discussion, including the presentation of a peace award to a former U.S. president and attempts to lead the audience in chants.
On the pitch, England’s group presents a mix of familiar and novel challenges. A reunion with Croatia evokes memories of their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat, while matches against Ghana and Panama offer different tactical tests. Tuchel described it as a “very complex” and “difficult” group, but refused to be drawn into speculation.
“The opening match could easily be a quarter-final or even later in the tournament,” he said of the Croatia game. “But we don’t wish for things. We don’t want to avoid at all costs anything… We need to make sure that we are there [in the knockouts]. Who else joins us, we cannot influence.”
With the draw now complete, the planning phase intensifies for the Football Association, which may reconsider preliminary base camp locations in light of the team’s largely eastern schedule. The draw also allows confirmation of planned friendly matches next spring.
For Tuchel and his squad, the message is clear: the road to potential glory is mapped, but the journey begins with navigating a demanding first stage. “Someone said: ‘Whoever wins the medal in New Jersey, they will absolutely deserve it at the toughest tournament,'” Tuchel recalled. After a draw ceremony of unique character, the hard work to earn that reward now begins in earnest.