Thomas Tuchel has dismissed the idea of changing England's playing style for the World Cup opener against Croatia, despite temperatures in Dallas expected to exceed 30C by kick-off. The German head coach, who took charge in January 2025, said adapting would 'give up our strengths' – a stance underscored by his squad selection emphasising physicality and powerful running.
'We have a young group. We have a courageous group. We have a brave group of players,' Tuchel told BBC Sport. 'So let's go for it. No one guarantees you that we win. So we want to at least try it, our style and our belief.'
“Tuchel refuses to adapt England's style for World Cup heat; Kane warns Croatia of a physical battle.”
Mandatory hydration breaks have been introduced across all matches, effectively breaking them into quarters. Tuchel acknowledged these three-minute intervals allow coaches to 'change and reset' and deliver 'group messages'. But he noted that Dallas Stadium is air-conditioned, which gave him belief England can impose their style 'because we play indoors'. The heat has already affected his squad at their Kansas City training base: 'Yesterday, it was very hot even here in training. And we could feel that it has more impact than, for example, today.'
Captain Harry Kane, playing in his sixth major tournament, warned Croatia to expect a physical battle. 'We have an extremely strong team, we have a physical team. I think that's going to be a big aspect of our game so go out there to use that,' said the 32-year-old striker. England's 26-man squad contains only five players under 6ft, with the smallest – Bukayo Saka, Elliot Anderson and Eberechi Eze – still standing at 5ft10in. The burly group was bolstered by 6ft4in Trevoh Chalobah replacing injured Tino Livramento.
Tuchel, who has yet to beat a top-20 side in three friendlies – two defeats and a draw against Senegal, Uruguay and Japan – insisted the tournament atmosphere would change things. 'Because it's not a friendly match, we will not try stuff, and we will rely on us, and the occasion and the tension will bring out the best in us.'
The German also addressed why he will not sing the national anthem before the match. 'Not yet, I think we are not there yet. At the very end maybe, I am still a bit shy, I don't want to offend people and don't want to have the focus on that now.' He described England as 'home', saying: 'I feel basically at home when I land, when I fly home. I would say now: 'I fly home' when I fly home to my home in London.'
A poll by More in Common found that half of English adults say they are proud of the men's national team, rising to 59% for Gen Z. Tuchel, aiming to end a 60-year trophy drought, will look to harness that pride as England kick off Group L against a Croatia side they faced in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and the opening game of Euro 2021.