Thomas Tuchel to start England job three weeks early for World Cup draw

Thomas Tuchel will begin England head coach responsibilities three weeks earlier than expected when he attends the 2026 World Cup draw next week.

The German’s 18-month contract begins on January 1, but he will join a Football Association delegation in Zurich as European qualifying groups are decided on Friday December 13.

Tuchel’s likely participation in post-draw interviews will represent his first formal involvement with the national team ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Tuchel has already outlined his ambition to win the tournament and England are one of the 12 top seeds in the draw to help decide the 16 European places in the US. His team are in pot one of the draw, which will take place from around 11am (GMT). Countries will be drawn into 12 groups of four or five teams.

Tuchel has been told in recent weeks by outgoing interim manager Lee Carsley that England are in “good shape” to win the World Cup. Carsley clinched England’s promotion to Nations League A with five wins from his six games in charge after replacing Gareth Southgate. He also gave debuts to eight players during his temporary spell, including Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Nations who are drawn in groups of five will start their campaigns in March, while teams drawn in groups of four start their campaigns in September 2025. All groups conclude in November 2025.

Teams in draw for European qualifiers

Pot 1

Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria.

Pot 2

Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway.

Pot 3

Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel.

Pot 4

Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Kosovo, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania.

Pot 5

Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino.