The other World Cup England should have won
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Copa Independent (World Cup 2026)
World Cup 2026
I'm here to put a second star on the shirt.
England squad form
Tuchel talked about how Harry Kane is the only one who is racking up goals and assists at club level. He named Eza and Saka as players who are slightly underperforming.
England trophy drought
Of any country to win an international trophy at any point, there are only four on longer droughts than England: Ethiopia, Bolivia, Israel, and the USSR.
England injury concerns
I am concerned about player fatigue. Declan Rice is currently carrying an injury and he's probably not going to rest between now and Arsenal trying to win trophies. I think that will be Tuchel's undoing.
England national team perception
England are pretty much now seen as a team that go far in tournaments, where previously they've been seen as underperformers, lions in the winter, lambs in the summer.
Brazil squad selection
For Brazil to be calling up a Brentford striker like Igor Thiago, it is a historical anonymity.
World Cup 2022 analysis
2022 is the one that got away. It was the peak Southgate era and a game England could have won against France.
England tournament psychology
The pressure is the biggest obstacle. When you see pressure come out in its force, it's fight or flight, and countless times in the last few tournaments, England have let it get the better of them.
Manager expectations
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of expectation management from Tuchel, especially now he's signed a new contract until 2028.
World Cup 2018 analysis
I think 2018 was a necessary tournament for England; it set them right again and restored respectability.
England national team progress
Since 2019, England have been in the top five of the FIFA world rankings and haven't dropped out.
