We simulated how England would perform at 2026 World Cup under Thomas Tuchel and the results were shocking
Thomas Tuchel is set to be in the England dugout for the 2026 World Cup - so we've taken a look at how he could fare at the tournament using Football Manager.
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico - with the new US president-elect Donald Trump's presence likely to be a talking point leading up to the competition.
When it comes to the football, though, England may see this as their best chance to win the World Cup in 20 years.
With a manager arguably in his prime taking charge - it will be just five years since Tuchel lifted the Champions League with Chelsea - and two more years of experience for a young group post-Euro 2024, the Three Lions have to be among the favourites.
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But how does Football Manager think the tournament will go? Let's take a look:
The system
Before we get on to the football, Football Manager predicts that Tuchel will line up with four defenders rather than opt for a three-man system.
The German boss used a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 while at Dortmund, before switching it up to suit the personnel at Chelsea.
But at PSG and Bayern, he returned to the system that had seen him achieve success during his early career.
The starting XI
As far as the starting XI goes, meanwhile, there are a number of surprises.
Aaron Ramsdale is preferred in goal to Jordan Pickford, while Tuchel places faith in Rico Lewis and the fit-again Luke Shaw at full-back.
Jarell Quansah gets the nod ahead of John Stones - who doesn't start a single game - at centre-back, while Marc Guehi is ever-present.
In midfield, Tuchel opts for a duo of Kobbie Mainoo and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Phil Foden playing ahead of them in a central attacking midfield position.
Foden shares duties in the three roles behind the main striker with Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Marcus Rashford, who all get their fair shares of minutes.
Up front, Harry Kane is still the main striker but Jarrod Bowen has overtaken Ollie Watkins to become his backup.
There are other surprises in the squad, with Liverpool defender Luke Chambers - who is currently on loan at League One Wigan Athletic in real life - getting the nod over more experienced players. Michael Olise is also in, but committed to France in September - beyond FM's start date - and won't be involved in 2026.
The World Cup
Now on to the football.
England secure a safe passage through the group stage, and look to set the tone with a thumping 8-1 win over Suriname.
A 2-0 win over Morocco follows, before Tuchel's Three Lions destroy Chile 6-0 to ease through the group as winners.
The second round draw - as part of the new format - sees them face Spain, with a much closer affair decided by just one goal as England win 1-0.
Tuchel's side defeat Ivory Coast 3-1 in the last 16, before a repeat of France in the quarter-final.
The tie goes to extra-time and penalties - with England emerging victorious in the shootout to book their place in the last four.
And they make it to the final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Uruguay. Their opponents? None other than Euro 2020 final opponents Italy.
The final
Much like at Wembley five years prior, England and Italy play out a tense 1-1 draw in normal time at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Gianluca Scamacca opens the scoring on 66 minutes, with Jarrod Bowen - preferred to Kane up front - nets the equaliser 11 minutes later.
The deadlock cannot be broken in extra time, meaning yet another agonising penalty shootout.
In a horror scenario for the virtual fans watching, the two sides took a staggering 20 penalties each before there was a winner - and not a single player missed until the final kick.
Ivan Toney and Jude Bellingham were among the penalty specialists in the shootout, with captain Kane nowhere to be seen.
Then centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno missed his penalty for the Italians, leaving England and Tuchel to finally celebrate winning a World Cup once again.
How do you think Thomas Tuchel and England will get on at the 2026 World Cup? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: England, Thomas Tuchel, FIFA World Cup, Football Manager
Ryan Smart