England VS Wales Preview: Tuchel’s iron-fisted management may be a good thing for the Three Lions

After finishing second in two consecutive European Cups, Southgate, unable to withstand the pressure of public opinion, resigned.

A semi-finalist in the 2018 World Cup and a runner-up in the European Cup in 2020 and 2024, Southgate can be said to be the most successful coach of the England national team since the 1966 World Cup.

If a hero is judged by his success or failure, there is no problem if some people call Southgate dismissed.

As the originator of modern football, if he cannot win major championships, he will definitely lose face.

The German Tuchel who succeeded Southgate also had a different voice. After all, the head coach was not from England. You are also a hero who is judged on success or failure. If a foreign coach can help you win the World Cup, there is nothing to say.

In the history of the English team, it is not that they have never hired foreign teachers, but they have never been successful, such as Eriksen and Capello.

For the Three Lions, there is nothing to worry about being shortlisted for the World Cup. They have a bye in the European group stage of the World Cup preliminaries, so they can warm up with Britain's "little brother" Wales at home.

England VS Wales

Nature of the match: Friendly match

Match time: October 10, 2:45

2026 World Cup Qualifying European Group Stage , England is in Group K with Albania, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra. In this group, the Three Lions obviously stand out from the crowd. They just treat it as a warm-up before the 2026 World Cup, and they still lack some weight. After all, their opponents are not strong.

England currently leads the team with five wins in all games, seven points ahead of second-placed Albania, and eight points ahead of third-placed Serbia with one game in hand. If they defeat Latvia in an away game in the next round, they may secure first place in the group and advance to the 2026 World Cup.

Although they are both part of Great Britain and are close to the birthplace of modern football, the level of football in Wales is far behind that of England. It is difficult for England to win a major tournament, and it is even difficult for Wales to enter a major tournament.

In the 2022 World Cup, Wales, led by Bell, returned to the World Cup main event after 64 years. They scored 1 draw and 2 losses and were eliminated at the bottom of the group with 1 point. After Bell retires, it will be more difficult for the Red Dragons to enter the World Cup again.

In the European group stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Wales is in Group J with Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. In theory, Belgium will lock in the first place in the group and advance directly, while Wales can only compete for the second place in the group to enter the play-offs. However, from the current point of view, even if it is to compete for second place in the group, Wales may not be able to compete.

Belgium has 4 games, 3 wins and 1 draw, with 10 points, and ranks second in Group J with 1 round less. The first place is North Macedonia, which has 5 games, 3 wins, 2 draws and unbeaten, with 11 points. Wales has 5 games, 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, ranking third with 10 points. Kazakhstan has 1 win, 4 losses and 3 points, ranking fourth. Liechtenstein has 5 consecutive losses and 0 points.

Wales also has a bye in this round and will have a tough match against Belgium at home 4 days later.

Some media said that Tuchel was merciless in abandoning stars. Players such as Sterling, Rashford, Henderson, Maguire, Grealish and other players who participated in the 2024 European Cup were all excluded from Tuchel's England roster. There is still plenty of time for the big names, but if they want to have a chance, they must meet Tuchel's requirements. Tuchel, whose contract is only for the 2026 World Cup, has a clear goal - to let England lift the World Cup in New Jersey on July 19, 2026!

England has 8 wins and 2 losses in the past 10 games in all competitions, and has won all 5 games in the world preliminaries.

Wales has 6 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in the past 10 games in all competitions.

In the past 8 encounters between the two sides, England has won 8 of them, and its advantage is overwhelming.

England is worth looking forward to in this game, although top scorer and main center Kane may miss the game due to injury.