Thomas Tuchel press conference ahead of England’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier delivering a clear message: Jude Bellingham is back in the England squad and ready to play as a number 10, but Marcus Rashford still has to prove himself both at Barcelona and in camp.
Thomas Tuchel emphasized there are no guarantees in elite football and every player must earn their place daily.
The England manager praised Jude Bellingham’s energy and welcomed his return to training but insisted that he and Morgan Rodgers are in direct competition for the same role.
On Rashford, Tuchel downplayed speculation about his future and stressed the importance of consistent performance. Tuchel also praised Elliot Anderson’s current form calling him one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, while refusing to confirm any guaranteed spots for the World Cup Lineup.
He addressed England’s squad energy, team spirit, and emphasized that qualification or not. He acknowledged Serbia’s quality and warned against underestimating their new coach’s impact in the upcoming clash.
