England boss Thomas Tuchel says talent alone won’t be enough to earn a place in his World Cup squad — players will also need the right attitude, personality and “social skills”.
Tuchel has just two friendly matches in March, against Uruguay and Japan, before he names his final squad for the tournament, where England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stage.
Since taking over from Gareth Southgate, the former Chelsea manager has shown he’s not afraid to make bold calls. He has left out high-profile names like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, while bringing back experienced Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson.
For Tuchel, building the right group matters as much as picking the most gifted individuals.
“Whenever I speak to players who have been to World Cups, they always say the same thing,” he explained. “Success comes when the connection is right and the communication is right.”
He said winning teams are those where players understand their roles, know why they are there, and feel comfortable being together for the long haul.
“When players feel they’re in the right group, they accept their roles and believe they could stay together for another four weeks and still enjoy it, that’s when things work,” Tuchel said.
That, he added, is why selection goes beyond raw ability.
“It’s not just about talent. We have to ask: what does this player bring to the group? Is he a good team-mate? Can he accept a supporting role if that’s what’s needed? That’s where the focus is.”
England reached the finals of the last two European Championships and made the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 under Southgate. Tuchel believes those experiences underline how demanding major tournaments can be.
England open their campaign against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, on June 17, in what could be a long and exhausting journey.
“Many of these players will come straight from fighting for league titles and trophies until May,” Tuchel said. “The World Cup will ask a lot of them — physically and mentally.”
If England go deep into the tournament, the squad could be together for up to eight weeks, he added, making harmony off the pitch just as important as performances on it.
“That’s why we have to get the selection right,” Tuchel said. “We need the right balance, and we need players who see this as what it is — a dream opportunity to be part of a World Cup and, hopefully, to play a major role in it.”