Footage emerges of Thomas Tuchel's emotional speech to England players ahead of World Cup

A behind-the-scenes clip has emerged that shows Thomas Tuchel giving a passionate speech to his England players ahead of this summer's World Cup – and fans are loving every second.

We are just nine days away from England's Group L opener against Croatia, a game that will see Tuchel take charge of his first World Cup match.

The 52-year-old, who was named Gareth Southgate's successor in October last year, has won nine major trophies across his managerial career, including three leagues, three domestic cups and the Champions League.

And earlier this month, Tuchel talked up adding the World Cup to his list of achievements.

"When I reconnected with the games and built our training sessions and meetings to reconnect the team in Florida with what we have built already, I saw a lot of quality," he told Sky Sports. "That instantly gave me the full belief and excitement that we can go a long way."

Tuchel believes England can go the distance this summer, and he made that clear in a speech to his squad at St George's Park during the March international break.

As seen in the footage from England's YouTube channel below, Tuchel says: "It's very important that we speak about it. Just straight away. The target of the mission is clear. Second star on our shirt."

Tuchel also speaks about the difference between club and international football, a transition some England players have struggled to adapt to in the past.

"It's not only about football," he says. "It's not only about offensive, deep build-up and offensive and defensive patterns. It's not only about set-pieces. It's a big, big part, but in international football, and especially in international football, it's not only about football.

"I spoke to a World Cup winner and he said the difference between the quarter-final and the win was the same level, the same quality of players, but once we arrived as a brotherhood, we were ready to die for each other.

"It would have been no problem if camp was two months, so we stayed two months in the camp — no problem — because we loved each other. Let's build, guys, let's build something special until we arrive here in the US. Let's go again."

Later on in the video, Tuchel points to an interactive board which shows the so-called "Mr Everest Summit", a graphic featuring six camps.

"I want to arrive here on top when it gets really tough, with the toughest group in the world," he said. "When we sit here on the plane and land, we know already: this will become a great camp and this will be a team no one wants to play against.

"And they will feel it. They will feel it in the mixed zone, they will feel it in the tunnel — they smell it."

Fans react to Thomas Tuchel's speech to the England squad

Many fans were impressed by Tuchel's words of wisdom at St George's Park, with some even claiming that the Three Lions will lift their first World Cup since 1966 under his tutelage.

One wrote: "Just seen this clip of Tuchel with England, he might just win the 2026 World Cup. Knockout football tournament is his thing, you can see how he is motivating them. It's why he won trophies at Chelsea."

A second said: "Love this, regardless of what you think about the squad this is a manager who CAN win the World Cup. Get behind him and the lads."

A third commented: "Yeah it’s coming home," and a fourth added: "I’ve seen enough, it’s coming home."