When England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas, they will do so with a team built for power — and a manager who refuses to tone that down even as temperatures soar above 30°C. Thomas Tuchel, the German head coach appointed in January 2025, has assembled a squad of physically imposing players. Only five of his 26-man squad are under 6ft tall, with the smallest still standing at 5ft10in. The team includes giants like 6ft7in Dan Burn and 6ft4in Trevoh Chalobah. Tuchel's philosophy is to replicate the physicality of English domestic football on the international stage. England qualified for the World Cup with a perfect record, but have yet to beat a top-20 ranked team in friendlies.
England have not won a major trophy since 1966. Under previous manager Gareth Southgate, they reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals (losing to Croatia) and the 2021 European Championship final. Tuchel, a Champions League winner with Chelsea, was brought in to end the drought. He has spoken of feeling at home in England, but has declined to sing the national anthem until he feels he has earned the right. The 2026 World Cup is hosted across the USA, Mexico and Canada, with many matches in intense heat. England's group games are in air-conditioned indoor stadiums, but training in Kansas City has been affected by high temperatures.
“Explaining England's physical approach under Thomas Tuchel at the 2026 World Cup.”
The tournament is a focal point of national pride. A poll by More in Common found that half of English adults are proud of the men's national team, rising to 59% among Gen Z. The style of play under Tuchel is a departure from recent years, and its success or failure will shape public sentiment. Moreover, the appointment of a foreign manager remains a talking point, and his relationship with the fans — including his anthem stance — is closely watched.
Q: Why won't Thomas Tuchel sing the national anthem? Tuchel has said he is 'not there yet' and does not want to offend people. He wants to earn the right to sing 'God Save the King' through success on the pitch, possibly at the end of the tournament.
Q: Why has England picked such a tall, physical squad? Tuchel believes England's strengths lie in physicality and powerful running, attributes he values from the Premier League. The squad selection reflects this, with only five players under 6ft. Captain Harry Kane has urged the team to use their strength to overpower opponents.
Q: How will England cope with the heat in the USA? Many matches, including England's opener, are in air-conditioned indoor stadiums. Mandatory hydration breaks introduce quarter-like pauses. Tuchel has said he will not adapt his style because of the heat, arguing that would give up the team's strengths.
England play Croatia in their Group L opener on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 21:00 BST in Dallas. A win would put them in a strong position to top the group. Tuchel's approach will be tested against a Croatia side ranked 11th in the world. The tournament runs throughout the summer, with England hoping to progress to the knockout stages and beyond.