Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as England manager has been anything but dull. Appointed in the wake of Gareth Southgate’s long reign, he arrived with the pedigree of a Champions League winner and the reputation of a tactical perfectionist. But with the 2026 World Cup now fast approaching, England’s journey under Tuchel feels balanced on a knife-edge, flashes of brilliance mixed with lingering uncertainty.

From his comments about atmosphere at Wembley to his experimental team selections, Tuchel has made it clear that he intends to reshape England in his image. But as 2025 rolls on, key questions still hang over his project. Here’s our 5 key questions for Thomas Tuchel to answer ahead of the 2026 World Cup campaign.

How will you truly engage with the fans?

Tuchel’s early months in charge have already revealed one of his biggest challenges, connecting with the England fanbase. His post-match remarks about the lack of energy in the crowd after a recent friendly caused quite a stir, raising questions about how he sees his relationship with supporters.

England fans are a passionate, demanding bunch. They crave honesty and energy, but also want to feel part of the team’s journey. Southgate, for all his critics, built that emotional bridge; Tuchel now has to maintain it. Does he continue to project the intense, analytical persona that has defined his club career, or does he open up a little more to the public, allowing fans to see the human side behind the tactics board?

With the World Cup in sight, the mood around the national team will matter. England need a unifying figure as much as they need a tactician.

What is your ideal midfield balance and who fits it?

This might be Tuchel’s trickiest puzzle. England’s midfield is packed with talent, but finding the right blend of control, creativity, and defensive cover is proving elusive.

Declan Rice remains the heartbeat of the midfield, yet there are questions about whether Tuchel sees him primarily as a shield in front of the defence or as a more dynamic presence further forward. Jude Bellingham’s role, too, is under the microscope, is he best used as a free-roaming attacking midfielder, or does Tuchel want more positional discipline from him?

Behind those two, names like Adam Wharton, Conor Gallagher, and Kobbie Mainoo have all been tested, while Jordan Henderson’s experience continues to tempt selectors. The challenge is obvious: England can dominate possession, but they’ve too often been caught open when transitions break down. Tuchel’s system needs both control and bite, and time is running short to find the perfect pairing.

How do you handle your attacking riches?

If England’s midfield is a balancing act, the forward line is an embarrassment of riches. Harry Kane is still the talisman and captain, but the supporting cast is vast: Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, and more waiting in the wings.

Tuchel is known for his tactical flexibility. He might play with two narrow tens behind Kane one game, then use direct wingers the next. But consistency will be key heading into a tournament. England have sometimes struggled when constant tinkering disrupts rhythm and partnerships.

Can Tuchel establish a clear attacking identity, one that maximises Kane’s creativity as well as his finishing, and gets the best out of England’s wide players without crowding the same spaces? He has the talent to build one of the world’s most dynamic front lines. The question is whether he can find a formula that works when it matters most.

Form or reputation — which wins out?

Every England manager faces this dilemma, and Tuchel is no exception. Does he pick players based on club form, or stick with proven names who have delivered in the past?

He has already shown flashes of ruthlessness, leaving out high-profile players to send a message about standards. But it’s a risky game. Drop a big name like Bellingham, Foden or Rashford and the headlines write themselves. Yet pick a player struggling for form and fans will accuse you of favouritism.

Tuchel’s strength has always been his clarity and conviction, but in international management, where relationships and morale matter just as much as tactics, he’ll need to strike a fine balance. The months leading into the tournament will reveal whether he truly values performance above pedigree.

Can you get England over the line?

This is the ultimate question, the one that will define his reign. England have reached finals and semi-finals in recent years but have never taken that last, elusive step. Tuchel has the tactical nous and experience of knockout football to change that narrative, but translating club success to the international stage is another challenge entirely.

He’s already labelled England “underdogs” for the 2026 World Cup, perhaps to lower expectations. But few will buy that. This is a squad brimming with world-class talent — players who have won the Champions League, Premier League, and titles across Europe. The question is whether Tuchel can instil the belief, composure, and mental resilience that England have too often lacked when the pressure peaks.

Knockout football isn’t just about strategy; it’s about psychology. Can he build a team that stays calm in penalty shootouts, that bounces back from setbacks, that doesn’t freeze under the lights of a semi-final in Los Angeles or Mexico City?

The next few months could define Tuchel’s legacy before a ball is even kicked in North America. His England already look tactically sharper, more structured, but also more uncertain in personality and rhythm. The pieces are there; the picture isn’t complete.

If Tuchel can answer these five questions, connect with the fans, balance the midfield, define his attack, back form over fame, and finally get England across the line, then maybe, just maybe, football’s most stubborn dream could finally come true in 2026.