Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed head coach for the England national football team, has expressed his excitement at the opportunity to lead the team in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Tuchel, a German coach, recently signed an 18-month deal with the Football Association and will be assisted by Anthony Barry, a former player whom Tuchel has worked with at Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Barry, a Liverpool-born midfielder turned coach, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating that the chance to lead England to World Cup glory had immediately “captured the imagination” of Tuchel. The 38-year-old Barry, who has previously worked with national teams such as Republic of Ireland, Belgium, and Portugal, described the opportunity to coach his own country as “quite surreal” and “the proudest moment” of his career.
Reflecting on his personal connection to England, Barry recalled attending matches at the old Wembley Stadium with his father and experiencing both victories and defeats at the iconic venue throughout his career. He expressed his eagerness to stand on the sidelines wearing the Three Lions emblem and highlighted the value of his international coaching experience in guiding the team towards success.
Tuchel and Barry are set to commence their roles at the FA on January 1, following the interim stewardship of Lee Carsley during England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures. As England aims to secure promotion in the competition, the duo will focus on streamlining processes and leveraging their collective experience to drive the team forward. The European qualifying draw for the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for December 13, unveiling the path for England’s journey to compete in the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Overall, the collaboration between Thomas Tuchel and Anthony Barry signifies a new chapter for English football, with a shared vision of success and a commitment to representing the nation at the highest level of competition.