England fans who went to the 1986 World Cup and never came back were reunited 40 years on at the Croatia game last week. Gary Allen, Stuart Bates, David Arnold and Garry Hardwicke jetted off to Mexico four decades ago to follow the Three Lions but enjoyed it so much they never returned. Their story is a reminder of how England have not won a major trophy since 1966, and the hopes and heartbreaks that have followed.
The 2026 World Cup is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and England are third favourites to win it, according to bookmakers. The team is managed by German Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Gareth Southgate after the 2024 European Championships. Tuchel is an excellent coach who has managed to effect rapid change in his squads, a key skill given the limited time international managers have with their players. He has made it clear he wants his team to play with the physicality of the Premier League, and his gameplan is built around captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane, with wingers who run behind defences to create space for him.
“Why England struggle to win the World Cup, and what has changed ahead of the 2026 tournament.”
England's recent performances have been mixed. They won both pre-World Cup warm-ups in Florida — a 1-0 win over New Zealand and a 3-0 win over Costa Rica — but in March they failed to beat Uruguay or Japan, with football that was "stodgily unimaginative" and reminiscent of the dark days before Southgate. The Japan game saw England fruitlessly chasing opponents who were more tactically and technically astute. At the same time, there have been bright spots: Noni Madueke, who was rejected by Arsenal fans last summer with a #NoToMadueke petition, has become a Premier League winner and started England's World Cup opener against Croatia, winning the penalty that Kane scored.
For UK readers, England's World Cup campaign is a major national event that brings together families and friends, as shown by the story of the four fans who never came home from Mexico 1986. Their reunion in Dallas — where they watched England's 4-2 win over Croatia from $3,000 seats after gate-crashing a Croatian VIP box — highlights how football fandom can create lifelong bonds. The tournament also reflects shifts in English football: after years of exclusive use of English managers, Tuchel is the first German to lead the national team, a decision that has raised eyebrows but may bring a fresh perspective.
Key questions answered:
Q: Why haven't England won a World Cup since 1966? England's 60-year wait for a major trophy stems from a combination of tactical shortcomings, failure to perform under pressure, and stronger opposition. Recent near misses include the 2018 World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia and the 2020 European Championship final defeat. Tuchel's appointment aims to break the cycle by using a clear plan focused on physicality and exploiting Kane's strengths.
Q: Who is Noni Madueke? Noni Madueke is a 24-year-old Arsenal winger who cost £50m from Chelsea. After a petition against his signing, he helped Arsenal win their first league title in 22 years and became England's starting right winger at the 2026 World Cup due to an Achilles injury to Bukayo Saka. He was one of England's standout players in the 4-2 win over Croatia.
Q: What is Thomas Tuchel's style? Tuchel is an excellent coach who can quickly implement his ideas. He prefers a physically robust, Premier League-style game, with a structure that allows Harry Kane to drop deep while wingers run behind. His squad selection is based on specific roles rather than reputation, and he is willing to take risks — helped by his distance from English public opinion.
What happens next: England continue their World Cup group stage, with Tuchel likely to keep faith with Madueke if Saka's Achilles issue persists. The tournament runs through July, and England face the challenge of overcoming historically stronger teams like France and Brazil. Tuchel's relationship with the squad will be tested as the competition progresses.