England are in a unique position heading into the international bracket in November.
A period of uncertainty began after Euro 2024 when Gareth Southgate announced his departure after the defeat against Spain in the final.
Under-21 manager Lee Carsley was given the interim reigns while Football Association officials weighed up their options. It was 92 days between Southgate’s departure and the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as his successor, but the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager will not be in the dugout when the Three Lions continue their Nations League campaign this week month
Tuchel was appointed as Southgate’s successor in October after quickly agreeing a deal with the FA to sign an 18-month contract starting in January 2025 and running until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
The terms of his deal called for an interim manager to take charge of this month’s Nations League clashes with Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Carsley had already been appointed as a gap-filler after Southgate left, having impressed in his work with England Under-21s.
A pair of 2-0 wins over Ireland and Finland in September looked to put the former Everton midfielder firmly in the mix for the full-time senior job. However, I would hint I was happy to be back in the U21s after a confusing defeat to Greece last month, during which he confused the followers playing without a striker with Harry Kane injured, despite having Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke available.
That defeat and other factors ruled Carsley out of the mix and Tuchel quickly became the FA’s desired appointment.
The 2026 World Cup is about a year and a half away and hopes are high England once again, having lost back-to-back European finals. They were knocked out of the last FIFA World Cup exhibition by France in Qatar, but Tuchel’s arrival has fueled hopes that the Three Lions can finally put it all together at a major tournament and claim a first piece of silverware important male since 1966.
It is not long for Tuchel to implement his philosophy and he won’t begin that process until his first international camp in Marchalthough he will have started his role a few months earlier.
right now, EnglandOpponents in March are unknown. If they don’t top their Nations League group, they will have to compete in a promotion play-off, but if not. TuchelThe team’s first matches will be qualifiers for the World Cup. The draw will take place next month.
Carsley confirmed his latest team in charge last weekwith big hitters like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka all included. There were also some surprises in the first draft, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lewis Hall now in with a chance to make their England debuts.
However, a great one Eight players then withdrew from the competition due to injuries. Saka, Declan Rice, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Levi Colwill and Aaron Ramsdale all had to stay with their clubs to recover. Premier League stars Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah have been called up, as has Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The absences of Harry Maguire and John Stones in defense mean that there is a chance that other centre-backs can stake their claim. Marc Guehi was rock solid in the summer and could be partnered by Ezri Konsa, Harwood-Bellis or Quansah against Greece and Republic of Ireland.
Curtis Jones has been in previous camps and will be desperate to finally make his debut for the national team, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Conor Gallagher and Angel Gomes could add to their ranks under Tuchel with strong performances.
Such is England’s strength in depth in various positions, a number of talented players were left out of the latest squad and will need to impress Tuchel in the club’s games over the coming months. Marcus Rashford and James Maddison may consider themselves difficult not to have been selected by Carsley this month.
