Tuchel's England warm up in style as Croatia opener looms

England will begin their bid to win a first World Cup since 1966 against familiar foes Croatia on Wednesday, and Thomas Tuchel's side arrive at the tournament with momentum at their backs. Two comfortable warm-up wins in Florida — and a squad blending tournament-hardened stars with hungry newcomers — have stoked the kind of cautious optimism that surrounds every England campaign, only this time with a German pragmatist in the dugout.

England beat New Zealand 1-0 before following up with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando, a match delayed by an hour because of a heavy thunderstorm. The headline from the second game was the return of Declan Rice, whose presence anchors a midfield that Tuchel has built his team around.

With the group draw pitting England against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, the Three Lions are among the pre-tournament favourites — and the warm-ups did little to dampen expectations.

A blend of experience and fresh faces

Tuchel's squad is notable for its balance. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka will all be appearing at their second World Cup, providing a spine of players who already know what tournament football demands. Around them, Tuchel has integrated a host of players experiencing the World Cup stage for the first time.

The list of first-time tournament names is long, including the likes of Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, while nine players are set to make their senior tournament bow altogether — among them James Trafford, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Elliot Anderson, Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers.

It is a squad that reflects both the depth of English talent and Tuchel's willingness to reward form over reputation, a selection philosophy that has defined his tenure so far.

“We have built this group on togetherness and clarity of roles. The players know exactly what is expected, and that gives us a foundation to compete with anyone.”

— England backroom source

The Croatia test

England's opener carries a familiar edge. Croatia have been a recurring obstacle in recent tournaments, and the two nations have history at major finals stretching back to the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the Euro 2020 group stage. Wednesday's meeting in Dallas offers England an immediate chance to set the tone for their campaign against a side that knows how to grind out results on the big stage.

A strong start would do much to settle nerves and build belief, particularly given the manageable nature of the remaining group fixtures against Ghana and Panama. England's route to a deep run is widely seen as favourable, but it begins with the toughest of their three group assignments.

Tuchel will be wary of complacency. Croatia's golden generation may be ageing, but their tournament nous and ability to control the tempo of a match have repeatedly frustrated more talented opponents. England's challenge will be to impose their physicality and pace early, rather than allowing the game to drift into the kind of midfield chess match in which the Croatians thrive.

• England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L
• Warm-up results: beat New Zealand 1-0 and Costa Rica 3-0 in Florida
• Declan Rice returned to the side in the Costa Rica friendly
• Rice, Bellingham and Saka all at their second World Cup
• Nine players set to make their senior tournament debut

Background

Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England head coach marked a significant departure for the Football Association, handing the national team to a coach with an elite club pedigree and a reputation for tactical discipline. His task has been to convert England's enviable depth of attacking talent into tournament success — the missing piece for a country that has reached recent finals and semi-finals without lifting a trophy.

The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams and spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, represents the clearest opportunity yet for England's so-called golden generation to deliver. Few squads can match their strength in depth, and the pressure to finally end the long wait will only grow as the tournament progresses.

What happens next

Everything now points to Dallas and the Croatia opener. A win would announce England as serious contenders and ease the inevitable scrutiny; a stumble would reignite old doubts about a team that has so often promised more than it has delivered.

Tuchel has the tools, the depth and a settled group. Whether that translates into the trophy that has eluded England for six decades is the question the next month will answer.