Tuchel will seek advice from ‘gentleman’ Southgate ahead of World Cup

England drew Serbia and Albania in 2026 qualifying

England team coach Thomas Tuchel, center, arrives on the green carpet before the UEFA Preliminary Draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP)

Thomas Tuchel intends to sound out “gentleman” Gareth Southgate and immediate England predecessor Lee Carsley before kicking off the qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup. The new England head coach has signed an 18-month contract with the Football Association which starts on 1 January, and Tuchel is well aware that his mission is to add a second World Cup star to the England jersey.

Friday’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. Tuchel is a hugely-respected club coach but is new to the international arena and confirmed he planned to set aside time to speak to Southgate, who bowed out in the summer after taking England to a second-successive Euros final.