Football Daily - England book their place at the 2026 World Cup

Episode Date: October 15, 2025

England are on their way to next summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA after a 5-0 win against Latvia secured their qualification with two matches to spare. Kelly Cates is joined by John Murray, Ian Dennis and former England defenders Conor Coady and Matt Upson to assess England’s performance in Riga, and how the team is developing under Thomas Tuchel.The England boss explains how their game plan might change next summer in North America and how it feels to have sealed qualification. There’s also reaction from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane.Plus, we discuss the importance of the England captain and whether Jude Bellingham could miss out even if he’s fit next summer? Timecodes: 00:22 – Reaction to performance against Latvia 11:05 – Harry Kane Interview 15:47 – Anthony Gordon Interview 17:43 – Thomas Tuchel Interview 23:14 – Tuchel’s selections - No I in this England Team? 28:50 – How might Tuchel’s squad evolve between now and the World Cup? 33:00 – Tuchel committed to continuity? 34:34 – How Important is Harry Kane for England? 37:02 – Do England need to change style of play for next summer? Commentaries on 5 live and BBC Sounds this week:Wednesday 15th October WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Chelsea v Paris FC 2000 KO - 5 LIVESaturday 18th October PREMIER LEAGUE: Manchester City v Everton 1500 KO - 5 LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth 1500 KO - SPORTS EXTRA PREMIER LEAGUE: Fulham v Arsenal 1730 KO - 5 LIVESunday 19th October PREMIER LEAGUE: Spurs v Aston Villa 1400 KO - 5 LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool v Manchester United 1630 KO - 5 LIVE

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Available now, wherever you listen to podcasts. This is the Football Daily podcast with Kelly Kemp. England have booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. They wrapped it up with two games to spare thanks to a 5-0 win away in Latvia. Lots of reaction to come with Connor Cody and our commentary team in Riga, Matt Upps, Ian Dennis and John Murray. And there it is. The final whistle goes and with that final whistle,

we can say that England will be at the World Cup in the Americas in 2026. They've done the job and they've done it. in style winning 5-0 here in the reign of Riga it feels a world away the conditions that we're sitting in here from I don't know Florida next summer certainly nothing like Kansas will be which is where England may well be based but England have qualified for the World Cup with two matches to spare and Thomas Tuchel has achieved his first goal as the England head coach I mean take away the opposition and just focus on England for a moment and what we're looking from a group of players and a team

that can go on and achieve great things in a World Cup you're seeing really good traits in this team at the moment and I think Thomas Tuchel is going to be very happy very positive with his team's attitude application with the whole display they were clinical in front of goal had some really good movements in and around off the ball defensively another clean sheet it's been a good evening Connor Cody is also with us Connor as we've been saying it It's a straightforward win for England, but nevertheless an impressive one because they have to go out and they have to do it. Straightforward win, yeah, as we expected, I think Kelly, but you're still got to go and do the business, you still got to go and perform, you still got to go and score goals, you still got to go and do things the right way.

And I thought England were fantastic. What I love most is the reaction when they lost the ball, the professionalism to go and win the ball back, there was always four, five bodies round the ball to win it back and then start another attack. And I love these substitutions after 4-0. I just thought at 4-0 you keep the same players on the pitch it can just drop a little bit because the game is won all of a sudden you bring players on the pitch you want to score, can see opportunities to score

and we've seen the goals that were added towards the end of the game so really professional from England I think it's been a brilliant qualifying campaign and listen it's going to another World Cup and then players will be absolutely over the moon we're going to be here till 1030 so we'll have time to go into the details of it but in terms of going to the World Cup

obviously the draw is not going to be made until the beginning of December so we don't know who England's opponent are going to be. What we do know, though, is it's a bigger World Cup and there are going to be this kind of game that England potentially are going to be playing in. There's a different style of football sometimes at World Cups to what there is in the build-up to World Cup. So it's important that they're prepared for every eventuality. Of course it is, but it's, World Cups are always different to when I was lucky enough to obviously go to Qatar and when you get there, they're the most extraordinary, amazing experiences you will ever have in your life as a player.

So for them players now, be excited because, listen, a lot of them have played at major tournaments before. A lot of them are incredible footballers. We all know who they are within the squad. But a lot of them will be first time going to a World Cup. So get excited, be excited that it's a bigger tournament. Be excited. There's a lot of travelling or whatever it's going to bring because they are the best experiences you will ever have. So now it's a brilliant, brilliant achievement for England.

Something that we expected them to do. It was the minimum that we expected. But now they've gone and done it without conceding a goal. Can they go through the whole campaign now and get it finished off in the right way? Those England players heading over to the England fans are absolutely drenched in icy cold rain over in Latvia. But as you were saying that earlier on, the England fans have travelled a long way and it's only right that the players should go over and show their appreciation. But equally, those England fans will be delighted with what they've seen. There was a lot of talk early on in Thomas Tuchel's time that maybe it wasn't the most exciting, that it wasn't the most front foot at times.

Look, against, we should qualify that by the opposition that they played. they're showing that they can get it done and they can build that, that rhythm. Yeah, I agree, Kelly. And I think that, you know, it's not easy coming into a fresh group of players as a manager having very limited exposure and having to pick the right team. So, yes, there were some bumps in the road. But you feel that he's got a handle on the character of the players and how they react, what type of player he wants in the group.

The balance of the team looks good. Anderson, again, this evening was excellent. And like I said to John, you know, in the commentary, I don't expect massive of changes for the next game. I just don't. I think when you're in this moment, you're in this rhythm, he's set his stall out and it's having a positive impact in terms of the performance and the players.

So I fully expect the team to be very similar. But also as well, it was against the lesser opposition. If you think back to the start of his reign, Albania at home and Latvia at home, where they won 2-0 and 3-0. They laboured in Barcelona when they only be. Andorra 1-0 in the qualifier in June. And he was criticised for those performances, Thomas Tuchland.

Quite rightly, he was criticised. So therefore, when you're playing against that opposition and you're now putting them to the sword, he should be praised because the last three games has seen a marked improvement. Denno, just before you head off, and I know John's gone down to get some interviews, and you're going to be going down there very shortly as well.

But in terms of the substitutions, that's what Connor mentioned, the fact that at 4-0 up, there was a temptation for England to make, maybe relax a little bit into the game, but it was Henderson as a Bowen came on and he's getting minutes in in these plays who could prove crucial when the tournament gets underway.

Yeah, and he didn't, he didn't get that in the second half against Wales. So I think that element would have pleased Thomas Tuchel tonight because he's, you know, we talked before ahead of the game about the, the hidden messages, if you like, for Jude Bellingham. He's been quite clear regarding Marcus Rashford.

You know, you can only be a great player you go and achieve great things. And he says for Marcus Rashford, you know, you've got no limits as far as your career is concerned, but you've got to go out and prove it. So I think when Marcus Rashford comes on tonight, and Anthony Gordon deserved to start and put it a lively performance and scored a fine goal,

Marcus Rashford now knows what he's got to do to try and usurp, dislodge Anthony Gordon from that position. All of a sudden, in the various elements of the England setup, you can see now where positions are going to be for players competing against each other and Thomas Tuchel has made a point when it was for the start of this autumn games in September he said right

this is where we ramp up the competition he had a slightly larger squad in June and they went away for some warm training in Barcelona obviously got John Stones out there as well he deliberately then reduced the squad size in September and that's the reason why you've got you There's no Foden and Bellingham and Grealish because he wants to ramp up the competition. He wants to see that hunger and desire from the players who are privileged to wear the shirt now

because if they don't show that, then they won't necessarily keep the shirt. But England know, of course, that they will be heading off to the World Cup next summer. Denner, you're going to be going to be going a little less far presently. You're going to head down and get some of those interviews at the end of England's 5-0 victory against Latvia. But just to come back to that point, Matt, about the use of the squad. by Thomas Tuchel in this victory against Latvia. The fact that he's got players in there, he's giving them minutes. And not just, you know, changing players up with five minutes to go.

It's like half an hour for three of them, 20 minutes for a couple of those players in the, in the squad. Just keeping everybody involved as well. Yeah, it'll be for keeping people involved. It will be for resting players that have had a lot of minutes. Having freshness on the pitch. Like Connor mentioned, when you go that far up, it's easy just to go into cruise control. You bring on someone like Jordan Henderson who's not going to stop. stop talking and driving everything with his voice and getting people around him.

And then players coming on wanting to express express themselves to get themselves into the starting lineup. So creating healthy competition in an international setup is not that easy because you're not around the players every day. You haven't got that ability to build that. So he's actually done that quite quickly, Thomas Tuchel. And it might need to be a bit ruthless at times and make, you know, cut off and tough decisions. but he's shown that he's more than capable of doing that. And he does it in a way that he's kind of palatable. It's not too brutal, even though the decisions are the decisions.

So, you know, that's top level football. That's top level competition in anything. So I feel the squad has that. And it can only be a healthy thing for the group. And I think we've got the two perfect guests here to reflect on the fact that England have got through their qualifying group without even conceding a goal, Connor. Yeah, it's always nice.

It's always nice. And we listened to Jordan Pickford's interview before the game, didn't we, talking about? It's a team, listen, he will love keeping clean sheets. Whether he touches the ball once or a hundred times, he will love keeping clean sheets. And it's always the backdrop, isn't it? And, listen, Big Mass will tell you the same thing as well. As defenders, as goalkeepers, as a team, you like keeping clean sheets. It keeps you in a game.

And, listen, tonight wasn't about staying the game. Tonight was about going winning the game and scoring four or five goals and doing what England have done. But it's always nice, and that just keeps on adding to Jordan Pickford's record, doesn't it, in terms of nine now, so let's keep it going for him, mate. Yeah, he's on an incredible run of form in that England goal, but the defence starting to really click regardless of who Thomas Tuchel is picking in those positions. But that record that England are on, as Denner was saying, England have now scored Matt in each of their past 18 matches.

That's the first time they've done that since between 1950 and 1953. And it's been a long, long run in which they've been incredibly successful at both end of the pitch. Yeah, no, I agree. There's lots of good things to come out of it. I mean, the one thing, and I think this might refer back to the Wembley feel in terms of atmosphere as well, there's been a lot of games in the last couple of years

that have been a bit kind of flat in terms of teams coming and being very defensive. And I think those games can lead to being not the most entertaining. They can sometimes draw out drab kind of displays, even though England do win the game and we do keep a clean sheet. So it can be a little bit,

misleading to get too excited about those kind of stats. They are really, you know, they're really impressive. But it's about the performances and the style of play and what teams you're playing and the jeopardy in the game that really drives the excitement and puts the players to the test. And while you have to be professional in these fixtures, if you're organized and you're well-drilled and you've got a good group together, this England team's got the talent to cruise through these kind of games. It really hasn't. It's shown it in the last three or four matches. But when it gets put to the test of those

real Jeopardy games against top nations, that's when you really see what it's all about. And maybe this team doesn't get tested enough like that. John Murray is talking to Harry Kane. Yes, here is the England captain Harry Kane on the night that World Cup qualification has been assured and

delivered and you've led from the front Harry. You did it well, didn't you? Yeah, it was a great game from us. I spoke before about building momentum. and no matter who we play, to hold on to that, to hold on to winning games, to hold on to clean sheets, to pressing high, scoring goals, and then we've done all of that. So another great camp, we can be really proud to qualify with two games to spare. It's never as easy as what it looks.

You know, a lot of preparation, a lot of hard work goes into what we do. And ultimately, you know, we have to handle that pressure of being the favourites. And we've done that really well so far. So another tournament to look forward to. Is the best thing about this particular window, the fact that you have been able to, to follow on and pick up from where you left off in Serbia? Yeah, 100%. And after the Serbia game, I spoke to the group about that,

about building the momentum that we're feeling amongst each other, not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch. And these camps come around quick. We play so many games at club level before we know it. We're back again. And it's important to keep that ball rolling. And even though we've qualified now, still two big games in the November camp.

And I think we've only got six games from now until the first World Cup game. So every moment counts, every training session. Every day together, it's about building something special. And, you know, we've been doing that, especially over the last few camps. So hopefully November will be no different. And of all the many achievements and things that you've done, you know, every single tournament, World Cup European Championship,

when England have qualified, you've been on the score sheet, all of them. Oh, really? Yeah, that's right. On the night it's been done. That's a nice one to have. So, yeah, for me, I always try and celebrate things like it's the first, you know. I spoke before about how proud I am to play for England, and especially in major tournaments

and whether it's your first or whether it's your fifth they're all special and I think American next summer will definitely be special and we'll feel that so never take these moments for granted and like I touched them earlier we spend a lot of time a lot of hard work together to achieve this

so we should celebrate tonight on the plane home and then look forward to getting back to club level and can I just ask as well the style in which England have played in these recent matches you know you found the groove there you played in America

at the FIFA Club World Cup with Bayern Munich last summer is it going to be possible to play this style this high tempo pressing style in those conditions I think so I think sometimes you know it sounds like you're taking a high risk

or it sounds like you're putting in a lot of effort but it's sometimes funny if you do it early and win the ball back quickly you're the one who actually has a lot of possession and I think we found that in the summer with buying we ended up having 60 70% of the ball which is probably the most important thing when you're planning that heat, making the other team run.

So, yeah, and of course, sometimes the opposition are always going to break the press and you have to run back. But ultimately, I think if you get it right, you will actually win it back quicker and then you'll keep more possession. So that's our aim. We want to be an aggressive team. We've shown that in the last few games, especially. And, yeah, we're going to, of course, come up against tougher tests and better teams.

So all of this is just great practice for when that comes. Well done tonight and enjoy the moment with the teammates. Thank you. Thanks, Harry Kane. The England captain. Thank you very much. Very interesting, a couple of points that he made in that interview, Matt. One of them was about building momentum that he said they're feeling on and off the pitch.

It's not just about the fact this is job done. Then they've got the games to come at home to Serbia and then away in Albania in the November international break. And then I think it's four games between then and the start of the World Cup. He said this isn't about just filling that time and using this to experiment. This is about building momentum ahead of a tournament. Yeah, very much feels like that. It's not about filling the time and discovering and, well, should we have a look at this or should we try that out? No, I think it's like, this is us.

This is what we're doing. Let's just get better at that. Let's get better at being us. And whether it is that press where they win it back, I completely agree with his point that he's made to John's question there in the sense that if you can win the ball back quicker, it's going to save you overall in the game more energy and more running if you can win it back quicker because you have the ball again. and then you go again. So if that is something that England are going to work out of possession, which I think is a great thing and a trait of a top team,

then brilliant. And I think they've showed that again this evening, the intensity of getting after the ball when they've lost it. Jed Spence did really well with that. All the players did well with it. Anderson reads it so well. So, yeah, I think just hone in on being the team that they are right now. Keep getting better at what they're doing.

And they're going to go into that tournament in a good place. Matt, we're going to bring in Anthony Gordon now with John. Murray? Yes, the man who opened the scoring for England tonight Anthony Gordon has just crept up on my blind side. Great to be involved on a night when England qualify for the World Cup, I'm sure, Anthony.

Amazing, it's something I've dreamed of since a kid. Probably didn't hit me until I got in the changing room. I've seen everyone celebrating because we have a job to do and you're so focused on doing that. So when we're going to change room and I've seen everyone celebrating, the music was on, yeah, that didn't hit me? Yeah. You said didn't you to us in the buildup to this

to these two matches? That You felt you wanted to do more with England and you must feel that you have gone some way to delivering that in these last two matches, yes? Yeah, I think so. I think definitely the last three performances have been my best for England and I think they've got progressively better

but again, I can't rest on now. I still feel I can do more. I still feel like today I could have scored two. I've got an assist or two so if I want to be a really top-top elite world-level winger, I've got more to do. And of course, the competition in your area of the field,

is intense, isn't it? And it's now World Cup places we're talking about. Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not scared of competition at all. I don't mind it. I think it pushes me to be better. I think it pushes us all to be better. So definitely not something I'm scared of

and more something I cherish. What would it mean to you to go to a World Cup? Everything. I think every young guy in England, dreams are playing in the World Cup for England. So there's not many ways you can use to describe that feeling. It would mean putting on a shirt in one of them games. So, listen, it starts in November.

Actually, it starts back at club level. So I'm not lost on the competition. I'm not lost on the fact that being successful in the qualifiers means we get on the plane. That's definitely not the case. And he's go back to club, perform, and get in the next camp. Well done tonight. Thank you.

And enjoy the moment. Anthony Gordon. Thank you very much, Anthony, just disappearing off. Thank you very much. Commitment. We've got Thomas Tuchel, not a million miles away, Kelly, as well. Congratulations. You've made it look.

easy qualification for a World Cup but it doesn't look easy it is never easy even if it looks easy we put a lot of work in even today again today in the high press they played with a lot of short passes and a lot of short distances in the beginning

we expected more long balls the reaction was good we just kept on investing and another excellent team performance it's a special It comes rarely that you qualify for a World Cup, so the mood is very, very good, of course, in the dressing room. It's all smiles, music, and, yeah, it's a moment to enjoy because it's a special moment. Yeah, so the celebration will be there. You said you might celebrate like Senegal did, but... Yeah, almost. You can see that means a lot, and it is different, and you cannot create it artificially. It's come naturally, and it's so beautiful to see what it means for the players.

Of course we expect from us to win against Latvia, but the way we won first of all gives us a lot of satisfaction and then you feel straight away, hey we did it, six wins, six clean sheets. We are there and to have this feeling is a very unique feeling, so it's a special evening and you can feel it in the staff and in the players, it's good. So how can you turn this to your advantage qualifying with two matches to spare? You need to give me some time to think about it because I just know it since half. an hour that we're qualified but we will we will Harry just said in the dressing room let we will get this let's let's keep this thing going and in November guys when we we know one will take a rest no one will step back and this is my feeling they're building something we are

building something together I think everyone will be delighted to be back in camp and yeah let's see we have some time now to decide but we want to build on what we have of course it feels like you've found a pattern you've found your style, you made just the two changes tonight, so that continuity again. And is this style that we've seen in the recent matches, is that a style of football that you will be able to play in the conditions that you will find in the United States? You're to adapt it, of course, to the conditions. It's different if you play in 40 degrees in the afternoon, or if you play in 8 degrees and rain, of course. And it will come naturally. You just cannot sprint in

in the same amount, you cannot have the same high-intensity runs. The game itself will be slower, but there's, I think, in the moment there's no choice, we do what we do, it gives us a good feeling, the players buy into it, and we play a running game, we play a high-intensity game. I think this reflects the English football culture, and the players love it, and we will adapt it when it's necessary to adapt. But you must be very proud of what's being achieved.

I know people will say, people will say, You know, look at the quality of the opposition, et cetera, et cetera. But still, it's 18 points, the six clean sheets. So it's good, and it's a special moment. It's a moment for us. No matter if people might say this was easy. If it looks easy, it's never easy in football. You have to break down deep blocks again today.

And the way we did it, it's nice to see because they play with a lot of effort and they just don't just rely on their talent that we will score at some point. So we work hard for the goals and for the chances. So it's good to see. It's a very good moment. I like it a lot at times. Congratulations. I'll let you go and start planning.

Thank you. Thank you. John Murray, thank you very much. There will, of course, be celebrations within that England dressing room. We heard from Harry Kane, from Anthony Gordon, and from Thomas Tuchel about the music in the dressing room, about the fact the players are all celebrating. Conner, what was interesting was that Anthony Gordon was so focused on this

and so focused on the preparation, on this hard work that has been a real mantra of Thomas Tuchel that he said it wasn't until he got in the dressing, him that he realised that oh it's all right we're allowed to celebrate this yeah first of how good's john murray how good is he oh it's just waiting it's brilliant isn't he but no let's say i play with anthony gordon at everton and his mentality was the same back then even a good few years ago and he was a young boy coming through at ever and he just wants to be the best he wants to if you see if he was sat here now it'd speak without a smile on his face because he's so serious

in every aspect when it comes to football and i fully believe what he told us there in that interview i fully believe he was so focused on trying to be the best play on the pitch he will openly tell you that. He'll want to be the best player in every opportunity that he can be. He mentioned there about he thrives on the competition. I fully believe that. So he should enjoy himself. It's no, it's an extraordinary feat to get yourself to a World Cup. So enjoy yourself, focus on getting into that next squad, exactly like he said. But he says the right things all the time. But he really means it because he was exactly the same a few years ago when I was with him in a second club. I'm Maisie Adams. And I'm Susie Ruffle.

And we host the women's football podcast, Big Kick Energy. Each week we bring you the latest from the WSL and Beasie. Beyond. Whether you're a lifelong fan like me or a newer fan like me and have recently got swept up in the lioness's excitement. We've got everything you need to know about the women's game. And chance. We've got chance. Oh yes, we love a chant. And finding ways to shoehorn in some truly obscure pop culture references. It's actually quite a silly podcast. Yeah, listen now on BBC sounds. Yeah, you should. Okay, cool. You're listening to the Football Daily podcast with Kelly Kitts. We've talked a little bit about what this means.

in terms of the sense of achievement for the players, in terms of the hard work continuing, which has been the message from Thomas Tuchel. But let's take a look at where England are ahead of that World Cup, because now they've qualified for it. The next question is going to be, what can they do in this World Cup? Can they do what Thomas Tuchel has been tasked with achieving,

which has go out and win the trophy for the first time since 1966? So the record in qualifying is really good, Matt. played eight at one seven drawn none and lost one that's under two kill as a whole is a perfect record almost in terms of qualifying he's become the first england manager to win his first five competitive matches without conceding a goal that's now six today and he's doing it with not necessarily the expected squad of players there are a few if not wild cards in there then certainly players who may have been in the squad but not necessarily first choice. at the time when he took over? Yeah, I think it's fair enough to say that. I think that whenever a new manager comes in, you're never too sure, are you, as to what type of players he's really going to like.

And maybe players have come in and they've just really surprised him and really shocked him. It's actually really refreshing because there shouldn't be such a thing as players that are expected or should be. Like what Anthony Gordon said, and I love the honesty in his interview, like, well, I've got to go away and play well for my club team to make sure I'm in the next camp. You know, that's the kind of mentality of the players that Thomas Tuchel really likes.

And he's collecting those players. Those players, he's investing in this squad. And he wants to create a great team. So that for me is an outstanding part of what he's brought in since he's been England manager. And if he takes that into the tournament, where that can go will be really interesting to see, but he's got an amazing talent pool to choose from. And I think setting those standards can drive the players on. And players who want to come in and go and experience a brilliant World Cup are going to need to have those traits as well. Conner, you called him ruthless earlier on, Thomas Tuchel, and I meant it as a as a compliment. But it is this squad of players who don't just have to be good at what they do, because we've heard England managers say before,

we're going to pick on form and not on reputation, but it hasn't necessarily been as clear cut as we're seeing under Tuchel. But they have to be driven and motivated and hardworking and to feel like they're part of the group, which is the other thing we hear a lot from Tuchel. Definitely, Kelly, definitely. And I think Matt will tell you the same thing as well. As footballers, I'm still playing now,

you want managers to be honest with you. That's what you want, whether it's good news or bad news. You want managers to be honest with you. You don't want them to string you along in any way. You want them to tell you what they want as a manager. how they want you to play it and you go away and get better at it or try and become a better player for it. So when I said

Ruthless, certainly what you said there, I meant it in a good way in terms of football players want honesty. That's what they want all the time, good news or bad news, that's what they want and I just think the culture is creating within the squad. The lads mentioned it out in Latvia before the game about it's not always the best players that make the best

team. Now, I love Jude Bellingham. I absolutely love him. We've gone on about him all night in terms of what he brings. But this team that he's created at the minute is a team and we see it with Morgan Rogers coming into the team and I know we've touched on a few of the players but again they've shown tonight that they're a team players coming off the bench to perform

players coming off the bench knowing full well they've got to perform and we mentioned about Thomas Tugel sending a message not just to the players who aren't in the squad and what they need to do to get back into it but it's also to the players who are there saying listen you've got to perform you've got to go back like Anthony Gordon said

they've got to go back to Newcast and perform well it's to everybody to show that we want to go to the World Cup and win it and it's brilliant for me to say that knowing that, as Matt said, the talent pool that he's got to pick from is unbelievable. It really is. The description of him is ruthless. I agree, but there's something about the way he administers it, isn't there,

where it's just clean. And I think that, you know, having that clean feedback where there's no hidden, you know, I don't think he ever feels like, oh, he just can't quite say that. He just says it, but he says it in a really good fashion. But it is direct. It can be ruthless. And he stands by it. And like you say, for players,

it's brilliant. I mean, I think the supporters have liked it, if I'm honest, even though he might have had a go at him or said, you know, we needed a bit more at home. I think the reaction to it has actually been quite good. If you deliver that in the right way, then I think you get really positive results from it. And it always helps Matt as well.

Sorry, Kelly. It always helps when a manager like him is coming in, a manager of his calibre is coming in. So a manager who's done so much in the game, so he's won the Champions League, he's being at Chelsea, he's been at PSG. Or this sort of manager coming in, he's big. He's a big manager.

So when he's telling you things, you stand up and take notice a little bit, and you go, right, okay, I've got to do this or I've got to do that. So I just think how he set up his team, but the feeling around the place at the minute, there's no real, as England fans, we're not really complaining too much about it. And we do that quite often, by the way. I do it, we all do it. We all sit there and go, well, what can we do better? And the feeling around the place is just great, even though he's giving news to people,

left, right and centre that he wants more. I just think it's a real good place he found themselves in at the minute. Yeah, and he's asking for more from them because he wants them to achieve what they've tasked him with helping them to achieve, which is go on and win the World Cup, not just qualify it, but not just progress in it, but to go a step further than they have done in recent campaigns and go on and win it. Let's talk about how they do that then and how this squad may or may not evolve in the, what, 240 days until the World Cup gets underway. Matt, thoughts on the players who haven't been in this squad, Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, players who maybe in the past

would have been some of the first names on the squad list for England? Yeah, certainly in those creative roles, which you've just mentioned there, which is, which are, let's face it, they are the big talking points, are they? You know, you've just named three players there in terms of Foden, Bellingham, Col Palmer that you would look at and go, wow, you know, they're all game changes on their day and can create brilliant things. But I just think it's actually really simple. And the beauty of being as kind of clean in his feedback

as what Thomas Tuchel is, is that there's no discrepancies. There's no, oh, I'm not quite, well, I don't quite know what to do. I think it's really clear and simple. And it's really obvious is you've got to go away, play well. I need to see really positive things from you in terms of your application, your attitude, your body language, keep delivering the top level things you can do.

If you then come into the camp, right, we need to see it in training. So I think there's steps that you have to go through in order to earn the place to get into this team that's being really successful for him so he's not going to change that on a whim he's not going to change that on a gut feeling of like oh he might look good in there now I think he's past that

he's just not entertaining that it's about what are you going to come physically show me what are you going to deliver on the pitch how are you going to help your teammates how are you going to respect what we're doing what's the buying of what this group is and at that point then I think then anyone can get in the team

if someone's not performing or they're doing better but it's down to that competition with those kind of that kind of framework and yeah i i just think it's a great structure to have and something that's essential if you're going to manage all of this top talent so connor go on then if as much as you loved you bellingham is there a circumstance where next summer he could be fit and not involved yeah oh yeah yeah i really believe that just with thomas two two calls actions in the last few weeks the last few months I actually think I was going to add to Matt there in terms of, and I don't know what he thinks of this,

but I was going to add, I think them players are a little bit behind now. I think they'll be sat at home, and I think they're going, oof, I'm in a little bit of trouble here. I really do, I really do believe that, just because these lads are doing so well. And it's obvious that the managing his interviews, we see how upbeat he is. We see him smiling. We see him applaud in the group at every opportunity that he can me. We're seeing the interview before the game, and all he mentioned was the group, the group. And I just think they're a little bit behind. And it sounds so stupid that we're saying that

about such incredible footballers in Jude Benham, in Foad and in Greelish, in Col Palmer. But them getting injured or them dropping out of form, I just put them behind a little bit because I just think that squad now is in such a good place. How'd you come away from bringing somebody out? How'd you drop the news that? I'm going to bring you out because of this

with everything you put into it. Do you know what I mean? What I'm saying there, Matt? It's just... Totally, mate. Yeah. I also think that as a manager, you have one eye on that if you do make that decision

the knock-on impact that has and the feeling of the rest of the squad's big, isn't it? Because players will understand and think, well, that's a bit unjust for him. Even if it's not happened to you, we'll all have an opinion or have a discussion or feel a certain way. If the manager does something, you think,

wow, that was out of the blue. Why has he done that? I can't see him making those kind of decisions. Like I said, I think these players are going to have to go for a real process, but they're not got much time, have they, in terms of games? There's not a lot of games to get that done.

but yeah, I think there's every chance that the squad that goes is there's going to be some surprise players that may not make it. And John Murray has rejoined us as well. John, thoughts on on Thomas Tuchel and some surprises that, and it's more likely to be surprise omissions rather than inclusions for the World Cup squad when he eventually gets around to picking it. Yes, although I've just been listening to him downstairs, just went into the,

into the sort of media conference in the room downstairs. And, you know, I think still the message was that next month continuity is going to be the thing because downstairs, he said, you know, in terms of what he'll do next month, he said, I have to be honest, I don't know. He said, I'm not sure if anything changes in the nomination process, as he likes to call it.

He said, we'll have to think how this affects the next. next camp. So he's very much keeping his options open there while, to me, erring towards that continuity again. And he did speak, as he said to me earlier in the tunnel, of Harry Kane speaking to the team. And he said that Kane said and spoke of the need to continue this in November, Kane said to the players, we need to keep this thing going. What we've got is very precious, says Thomas Tuchel. So I think, again, that's quite clear. He likes what he's got at the moment and people will talk about experimentation won't they next month judging by what I've heard here tonight I think it's more likely to be more of the same

yeah and he sort of said as much in the buildup to this game or this sorry these couple of games which is that in terms of selecting the squad it was about continuity from the one before because he said it was only a matter of of a few weeks it wasn't months and months ago so he thought that he'd just err on the side of players who'd been in the camp most recently with him. One of the players about whom, if fit, there is absolutely no question, is Harry Kane. The problem around that discussion, Connor, is less about Harry Kane because we know the motivation is there. We know the influence within the squad is there. And we suspect strongly that the performances are going to be there all the way up to the World Cup. It's injury. What happens

if Harry Kane picks up an injury between now and next summer? Where's the depth? Oh, it's not way of thinking about Kelly. I'm honest, it's not weird. It's not weird thinking about. I don't even want to think about that. Please don't get injured, Harry. Yeah, because if we lose, you mentioned before about, you asked me before about how much credit Thomas Tuchel should take, Harry Kane should take a lot. Honestly, what he's like in that camp,

what he's like for our country, the captain he is for our country, the environment he sets for people to go and express themselves. Him himself, by the way, I'm not putting that on the manager, I'm putting that on Harry Kane. The character he is, he shows up for every camp, he plays in every game, he played every minute of the game tonight to try and get his goals.

And just how he sets an example is unbelievable. So that question to me, I'm not taking on, Kelly, if I'm being honest with you, I don't want to answer it because we cannot lose. The strength in depth, you're looking at Olly Watkins, you're looking at people like this behind him. And then, Ollie Watkins, obviously, went to the yours and scored an incredible goal and the goal we all remember. But, yeah, to lose Harry Kane, what he is to our country, it's priceless.

We can't, we can't. And I don't want to think about that, to be fair. Can I ask Kelly, Connor, do you think that Harry Kane's influence now on this squad, and I know he's the captain, so he's going to have natural influence, do you think that his influence now is possibly greater than it's ever been before?

Without a doubt. Without a doubt, John, I really do. And you probably know that as much as me with the amount of games you do, how you talk to him, how he speaks back to you, how he speaks to the press. He's like that in the dressing room with us.

He's so open and honest. He holds meetings. He's the one who speaks. We mentioned there about Thomas Tuchel saying he spoke after the game. That's nothing new for me. He used to speak before every training session. He used to speak after every game.

His will to win a trophy for his country is through the roof. Honestly, it's absolutely through the roof. And how much he wants to play for his country, how he represents his country. I think he's full credit to him and obviously his family as well because he puts everything into it. So, yeah, I think it's the greatest it's ever been. His influence on this team and how his character portrays himself. But, yeah, I think we mentioned before about the influence Thomas Tuchel's had.

He's just as big. Harry Kearney, he's absolutely huge for our country going forward. So, Matt, it's been very straightforward for England in terms of qualifying, or it certainly looks that way in terms of the results. What kind of tests do they need to face between now and next summer to make sure they're ready for the tournament? What type of opposition you play in those preparation games before the tournament is nice to play different teams,

maybe, you know, different styles, different cultures of football, all of that kind of stuff. But honestly, Kelly, I just think focus on ourselves, focus on being the best version of what England can be. And maybe having to adapt, like Thomas Tuchel said, you know, the conditions, the way the game's going to be played out there is going to be very, very different to what a general European qualifying campaign will be in terms of stadium pitches, weather, the lot. So, you know, maybe getting off position and playing in certain places and what have you. But we've obviously got the two games coming up next month of the last two qualifying games. And then there's something, you know, there's a huge break then. So it's all about going away and maintaining that form for your club. So, you know, I don't think that's hugely important.

It's all about what England are going to do and keeping that message consistent from Thomas Tuchel. It's also about the type of football they're going to be able to play in very different circumstances. And they all talked about it this evening because John was asking them, Connor, about whether or not that kind of high pressing football can work in what could be very hot, very humid environments, particularly on the West Coast of America next summer. So maybe even down in some of the southern states as well. But if it's going to be those conditions, is it possible to continue that style of football. I definitely think it's possible. The game will dictate, Kelly, so I always think the game

dictates how you play. You can prepare for a game and a game throws up a complete, you listen to Thomas Tuchel's interview there and he said, we were expecting them to play long balls and he played short balls, so we adapted. So players adapt really quickly and especially players of this caliber that we're talking about in this England team, they can adapt. And Matt will tell you the same thing. Sometimes you go into games, prepared for one thing and it completely changes. So I think the game will dictate a lot of it and I think when the weather is the same of both teams and I know you can say the South American season

might suit it more and all this but I just think England will be prepared for whatever's coming and the big thing for me going into the World Cup is winning. We can say about games we can say about just keep winning just win and win and win as much as you can so whatever opposition comes up or whoever we play before the World Cup

whatever that is in warm up games or whatever just win just keep on winning as much you possibly can so yeah going back to the game situation I just think it will adapt in game. The game will dictate how we play. We'll want to be high press. Harry will want to be high press. He'll want to be on the edge of the box,

pressing goalkeepers and winning the ballback. But sometimes you can't do it because it's just too hot to do. The lads are strong enough and clever enough to adapt within game as well. And Thomas Tuchel told you as well, John, didn't he? He said, you know, he said, we're going to have to tweak it at least a little bit.

And it feels very much as though he's got this in hand. He's planning for next summer. He's planning for the kind of performances that they can put in. Yeah, I mean, he went there and saw it for himself during the course of the FIFA Club World Cup last summer. It's probably not the time in the aftermath of England's qualification for the World Cup to point out that there have been nine World Cup finals tournaments in the Americas. And eight of them have been won by South American teams. The only European team to do it was Germany in 2014.

Thanks for that, John. Yeah, that's adverse. Connors been so hyped about it. You've just absolutely burst. Don't worry, John. We managed to keep it upbeat for nearly 50 minutes, but that's for coming. Let me also, let me also, if I can make it upbeat again, there was a great bit of interplay between Thomas Tuchel talking about what the England fans were singing towards him. You know, are we loud enough for you after he said that they were silent on Thursday night?

And he said, yes, I got a bit of stick today in the first half. Well done. I take it. He said, it was creative. Made me smile. it's the British sense of humour John just a really quick one before we go because before you've rejoined us

talking to Connor and Matt about the job that Thomas Tuchel has done and the influence that he's had and I just wanted to get a quick answer from you on the circumstances in which he's taken over because it felt like Gara Southgate came in when the England's setup was quite fractured the relationship between the players and the fans

wasn't necessarily there and he helped the players become more themselves, become more accessible, to give a bit more of themselves. Whereas Thomas Tuchel feels he's come into that setup and he's adding a ruthlessness and a winning mentality that maybe England weren't ready for that toughness when Southgate came in.

It might well be the right manager at the right time, is what I'm saying. I just think with Calais, Southgate, even when it was Germany and Berlin, I mean, we thought that was probably the end for him. It was almost certainly that. But we still didn't know for sure. And, you know, there was always the long term with Gareth Southgate and, you know, the whole of the time that he was there, you know, it was, what he was putting in place was for almost generations ahead.

For Thomas Tuchel, almost the first thing he said was, I don't stay in jobs for any longer than 18 months. He's doing what is right for him and this team in the short term. He knew it had to be what he was going to do, it had to have a quick effect. And there were doubts, weren't there? At the end of last season, after the opening four matches and they hadn't really found the style, even though they'd won three out of four, but that defeat against Senegal.

But more than that, just the fact they haven't really found the rhythm. And he said the intention was to find the rhythm in these autumn qualifiers, and that's what they've done, and they've qualified with two matches to spare. It has taken them to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. John Murray, Connor Cody and Matthew Upsen. Thank you very much for your company this evening. lovely to talk to you. Aaron Paul will be here with 72 plus on your next episode of the Football Daily. He'll be joined by the new Luton boss, Jack Wiltshire.

He scored goals, lifted trophies and broken records along the way. There it is. It's a day to remember the Wayne Rooney. And now he's got a podcast. Welcome to the Wayne Rooney Show. Twice a week, Wayne Rooney, Kay Curd and me, Kelly Summers, break down the biggest stories in the Premier League and beyond. As much as you'd like to say it, loyalty in football now is there's no existence, whether that's fun players or managers. Plus, we'll hear the funniest, wildest and most outrageous stories from Wayne's career. The Wayne Rooney Show. Everybody's talking about it.

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