England are going to the 2026 World Cup, and they are going there in style after another 5-0 win away from home as Latvia became the latest victims of a team that is well and truly taking shape under Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions have booked their place at next summer's bonanza in North America with two games to spare after winning their first six qualifiers, without conceding a single goal in the process.
And now that England know they are going to the United States, Mexico and Canada, attention can now turn to who they want to bring with them. Only a freak injury will stop the insatiable Harry Kane from leading the line, and the two places on either side of him also look to be locked down. Bukayo Saka is practically immovable on the right wing, while it is also now looking very difficult for anyone to budge Anthony Gordon from his position on the left flank after he scored a spectacular opening goal in Riga amid a tremendous overall display.
Many fans both wanted and expected to see Jack Grealish make his England return on the back of his incredible resurgence on loan at Everton, but Gordon is not only standing in his way, he is running off into the distance as the most likely candidate to start on the left-hand side at the tournament.
Not many teams will be looking forward to facing England next summer if they can maintain their current form, having scored 13 goals without reply in their last three fixtures. The Football Association's (FA) controversial decision to appoint Tuchel as coach last year is now looking a little wiser and it is becoming difficult for even his staunchest opponents to deny that he is doing an excellent job.
"It’s been top from start to finish," said Gordon of England's blistering World Cup qualifying campaign. "The manager said it in the changing room, we haven’t conceded a goal. Just the vibe and the atmosphere, we have given everything for each other. It can be difficult in an international environment because the lads come from everywhere and we don't see each other all the time."
Tuchel stressed last week that he wanted to "build a team, not collect talented players", and he is certainly doing that. But within his team there is still an awful lot of talent, and Gordon is making the most of his natural ability as much as anyone else.
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