Tuchel Critiques Major Nations for World Cup Qualification Attitude
Thomas Tuchel has expressed concern that leading football nations take their automatic qualification for significant tournaments “for granted.” This statement comes after England solidified their flawless World Cup qualifying run with a 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and substitute Eberechi Eze have propelled the Three Lions to a total of seven consecutive wins in Group K, with their final match against Albania scheduled for Sunday.
Throughout the qualifying process, England has impressively netted 20 goals while maintaining a clean sheet in every match, attracting an audience of 74,289. This attendance figure, while respectable, marks the lowest at Wembley since September 2024.
Last month, England secured their spot for next summer’s finals with a dominant 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga, marking their first qualification for a major tournament since 2008.
Tuchel stated, “This issue is not unique to our country; many of the top teams overlook the effort required to remain competitive until they find themselves in a challenging situation.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of performance from his players regardless of the stakes, noting that their dedication is a vital attribute of the team.
He added, “While we all expect strong results—including myself—I believe it is crucial for the players to feel recognized and valued for their hard work, supported by evidence and feedback. This is what drives the team’s success.”
n
