World Cup 2026: England boss Thomas Tuchel says Three Lions 'not favourites' for tournament

Thomas Tuchel has played down England's chances of winning the World Cup, admitting they are not among the favourites to end 60 years of hurt.

England head into the World Cup as third favourites with the bookmakers, just behind Spain and France, but have not won a major trophy since 1966.

Tuchel feels that a lack of previous silverware at tournament level means England remain behind other nations in terms of the pecking order.

Ahead of England's final warm-up fixture with Costa Rica on Wednesday, manager Tuchel said: "We can't be one of the favourites as we haven't won it for so long.

"There are proven winners within the tournament. These are the favourites. We can compete for the trophy and dream big. We know what it takes. Our responsibility is on the effort - this is where the focus is - we see ourselves as competitors and challengers. We want to go all the way. I don't think we're heavy favourites.

"But we want to win. We know what it takes. It takes a calm mind and focus on our steps. If we want to reach the top of the mountain we go step-by-step otherwise we will get distracted. I have belief but it comes with responsibility, hard work, discipline and deal with setbacks. We dare to dream."

At the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago, Gareth Southgate's England were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by France. England reached the finals of Euro 2020 and 2024, losing to Italy on penalties and Spain.

Tuchel added: "In recent tournaments England have been there, semi-finals, finals. Once you reach a quarter-final you can win any competition and go all the way. It's important not to digest the tournament in one piece. At the moment this is prep-camp and next stage is the group stage.

"At club football I always make sure you win your group and don't get distracted or overthink. Once you reach the quarter-final you can think about going all the way then the belief will be there.

"There will be lots of respect for our opponents and don't underestimate the level of luck you need with injuries and decisions. We go step by step. At the moment we're exactly where we want to be."

"Thomas Tuchel is just being realistic. This is all about common sense. If he came out and said: "We are going to win the World Cup," then people would question his sanity.

"You have to remember, it is going to be very difficult to do that in the USA. If they finish top of the group, they will probably have to go to Mexico City to play Mexico at altitude. They are probably going to have to beat teams like Argentina, France and Spain.

"In these conditions, where it is so hot, and on these pitches, it is going to favour the South American teams. They are the favourites for this tournament, a side like Argentina or Brazil. You cannot discount the likes of Spain or France.

"He is being realistic. England should be aiming to get to quarter or semi-finals, then who knows what can happen. You have to be realistic. You cannot come out and say we are going to win it and show how good English football is, it would be the wrong approach to take as he would be setting himself up for a fall."

Opta's supercomputer, which is based on 10,000 simulations and factors a wide range of data points, has Thomas Tuchel's side as third favourites, with a 10.9 per cent chance of lifting the trophy.

European champions Spain are rated as favourites, with a 15.9 per cent chance of success, while France are second on 13.2 per cent. Holders Argentina, Portugal, Brazil and Germany complete the top seven. Scotland, meanwhile, are given only a 0.3 per cent chance, although they are at least predicted to reach the round of 32.

Tuchel says England have to be careful with Bukayo Saka ahead of the World Cup as the Arsenal winger continues to build his way back from an Achilles injury.

The 24-year-old linked up with the national team in Florida on Saturday, along with team-mates Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze after the quartet were given time off after the Champions League final.

Saka began the shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain but has only started five matches for Premier League winners Arsenal since withdrawing from England's March meet-up with an Achilles injury.

The forward's fitness is a consideration for Tuchel, whose side face Costa Rica in a warm-up friendly in Orlando on Wednesday before taking on Miami FC the following day behind closed doors.

"We still have to take care a little bit about Bukayo, who had an injury in the March camp and carried it through, of course, into his club campaign," Tuchel said.

"He was available and made himself available in the end of the season, and did this brilliantly, but he was managed in-between matches and that continues a little bit at the very moment, so we're building him up.

"Noni is 100 per cent available, Declan is 100 per cent available and Ebs as well."

Tuchel's side are putting the final touches to their pre-World Cup training camp in Miami as they bid to prepare themselves for what is to come weather-wise in the USA.

Tuchel has 31 players to choose from against Costa Rica, with England's 26-man tournament squad complemented by training players Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri and Jason Steele.

The England boss is "ready to give it a push" after only allowing players 45 minutes in Saturday's 1-0 win against New Zealand in Tampa, meaning some will get 60 or more minutes on Wednesday as they start to look ahead to taking on Croatia in their Group L opener on June 17.