STWF Sports| Nov. 12, 2025 – With the 2026 World Cup looming on the horizon, England manager Thomas Tuchel faces one of the most enviable — yet complicated — selection dilemmas in international football. The Three Lions’ attacking options are overflowing with talent, but the German tactician has made it clear that not everyone will make the plane to the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.

Faye Carruthers ahead of England’s upcoming fixtures against Serbia and Albania, Tuchel provided his clearest insight yet into his tactical thinking, revealing that even the nation’s biggest stars may be forced to watch from the sidelines.

A Wealth of Attacking Options

England’s front line boasts an embarrassment of riches. Harry Kane, the national team captain and all-time leading scorer, remains untouchable as Tuchel’s No. 9. But behind him, the battle for creative roles has intensified.

Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Morgan Rogers have all been called up for the November international window, while Cole Palmer (injured) and Morgan Gibbs-White missed out this time but remain firmly in Tuchel’s plans.

The challenge for the England boss lies in balancing creativity with structure. Bellingham and Foden, both recalled after short absences, have been in sparkling club form. Yet Tuchel admits that tactical realities may prevent him from fielding all of his attacking stars together.

“At the moment, if we keep the structure, they cannot play [together],” Tuchel explained. “They can, but not in the structure, not for the balance that we developed. We play with a No. 6, a No. 8, a No. 10, and a No. 9. There is a lot of overlap — Phil can play there, Jude can play there, Morgan Rogers played fantastic for us in that position. You have Cole Palmer, you have Morgan Gibbs-White — there are a lot of players.”

Tuchel added that the decision would not come down to favoritism, but to maintaining equilibrium within the team.

“Not because we don’t like them, not because they don’t deserve it,” he said. “But we will always do what’s best for the team. We’ll always do what’s best for winning, for balance, and we’ll make tough decisions when necessary.”

The Foden Factor

Among the biggest selection headaches for Tuchel is Phil Foden, whose versatility is both a blessing and a curse. The Manchester City playmaker has evolved into one of England’s most technically gifted players, but his ability to play across multiple roles — from No. 8 to false nine — complicates his fit within Tuchel’s rigid tactical system.

When asked whether Foden’s flexibility adds pressure to perform, Tuchel offered a measured response.

“Yes and no,” he said. “If you’re a unique player, you can play both positions. I think Phil can play as a No. 9, he can play as a No. 10 — that gives him an advantage. But I see a very low percentage that we take five No. 10s into a tournament. I don’t see how that helps.”

Foden’s adaptability could yet work in his favor, with Tuchel hinting that he may experiment with the midfielder in a deeper role.

“For Man City, he plays almost like an 8/10, so maybe in the next months we consider him as a No. 8,” Tuchel added.

Final Tests Before the Tournament

England have already sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, finishing top of Group K with a 5–0 win over Latvia last month. That means the matches against Serbia and Albania are less about results and more about refining Tuchel’s tactical formula.

It will also be the final international window of 2025, offering players a crucial chance to impress before the final squad announcement in May or June.

After this window, England won’t play again until March, when Tuchel is expected to finalize his core lineup. The FIFA calendar also includes two friendlies in early June before the World Cup kicks off on June 11.

For players on the fringes — like Gibbs-White and Palmer — the next few months at club level will be decisive.

England’s Path to 2026

The Three Lions will learn their group stage opponents at the World Cup draw on December 5, with 31 other nations already qualified, including traditional heavyweights Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and co-hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico.

While England’s qualification was routine, Tuchel’s real challenge now begins — shaping a roster brimming with attacking talent into a cohesive, disciplined unit capable of ending the nation’s 60-year wait for a World Cup title.

His message to his stars is clear: talent alone won’t guarantee a seat on the plane. For England’s golden generation, competition has never been fiercer — and the next six months will determine who survives the final cut.