England kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in style under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, securing a 2-0 win over Albania at a packed Wembley Stadium.
Making his long-awaited debut on the touchline after taking charge in October, Tuchel saw his side dominate proceedings, with goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane sealing a comfortable victory.
The Arsenal youngster made history as England’s youngest-ever debutant goalscorer, while Kane marked another milestone by becoming the first player to score 70 goals for the Three Lions.
Tuchel’s tactical tweaks, including a more direct attacking approach, saw Jude Bellingham thrive, setting up the opener and playing a key role in the midfield battle. Meanwhile, England’s defensive solidity—anchored by debutant Dan Burn—ensured a clean sheet.
However, not everyone impressed on the night, with Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford struggling to make an impact, leading Tuchel to hint at potential changes for the next game against Latvia.
Despite some early criticism of his predecessor Gareth Southgate, Tuchel’s England got off to a promising start, raising hopes of a more tactically astute and fearless team heading into the World Cup qualifiers.
