Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has guided England to an astonishing eight consecutive victories in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The team’s performance has been nothing less than flawless, netting 22 goals while keeping clean sheets throughout the eight games.
The latest triumph, a 2-0 away win over Albania, sealed a perfect group stage and has shown the defensive solidity that has characterized Tuchel’s initial foray into international coaching. England etched their name in the record books, becoming the first European side in this qualifying cycle to win every match while keeping a clean sheet.
This achievement secured their place in the 2026 finals, set to take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
This impressive streak unfolded during Tuchel’s inaugural competitive season as the national team’s head coach. He took over an England squad that had already reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate.
When Thomas Tuchel Took Over the England National Team
Tuchel’s appointment as Southgate’s successor was made public on October 16, 2024. The FA announced the German manager would officially begin his tenure on January 1, 2025, following a brief interim period under Lee Carsley. Southgate resigned two days after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, ending an eight-year tenure. He guided the team to a World Cup semi-final and two Euros finals during his time.
Tuchel, who managed Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, arrived in England with a somewhat mixed recent club record, having been dismissed by Chelsea early in the 2022-23 season. Tuchel’s Chelsea tenure ended in September 2022, a casualty of a difficult start to the season and a widening divide with the new ownership.
The decision came the day after a Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. Despite that abrupt exit from Stamford Bridge, where he’d previously brought home the 2021 Champions League trophy, Tuchel has quickly rebuilt his reputation internationally. His England team has combined a strong defense with a flexible attack, led by Harry Kane and a talented supporting cast.
This has increased excitement for the 2026 World Cup, especially after the German coach’s almost perfect start as England manager.