Thomas Tuchel is starting his leading World Cup journey on Wednesday, June 17, against Croatia.
The match will be played in Arlington, Texas, and it is expected to be an exciting start to England campaign. Croatia, ranked 11th in the world, are strong opponents and they famously beat England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Russia. Because of that history, England will be looking for a chance to settle the score.
With his original deal having been due to expire at the end of the World Cup, the FA and Tuchel agreed a new two year contract earlier this year that takes the German to the end of Euro 2028.
England fans are hoping this tournament will finally bring success after a long wait of more than 60 years without a major trophy. The German coach leading the team has asked players to stay focused and take things step by step. He believes thinking too far ahead can create pressure and distractions. Instead, he wants the team to stay calm and improve with each match.
Tuchel has a strong record in club football. He has won league titles with top clubs like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. He also guided Chelsea to a Champions League win in 2021, which showed his ability in big knockout matches. This World Cup is his first major international tournament, so all eyes are on how he handles the pressure on the world stage.
Earlier in the day, Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, played against DR Congo, Ronaldo is also appearing in his sixth World Cup, which is a record. In another group match, Ghana and Panama are set to play in Toronto at midnight.
