On the night before their World Cup qualifier in Rīga, the mood around England’s camp was composed. A win over Latvia would send them straight to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, and head coach Thomas Tuchel made it clear during his press conference that the target is simple – win, and qualify.
He confirmed that captain Harry Kane is fully fit to return after being rested against Wales. “Harry is ready,” Tuchel said. “There’s no reason why he couldn’t play the full match.”
Tuchel also spoke about the evolution of his team in recent weeks. Referring to their 2-0 victory over Andorra in early September, he underlined that the scoreline didn’t tell the full story. “I saw a real shift in our pressing, in our attitude,” he explained. “That game showed we’re moving in the right direction. Now we want to take the next step.”
Despite being clear favorites, Tuchel stressed that preparation for Latvia has been as serious as for any top opponent. He expects a deep defensive setup from the hosts – possibly 4-5-1 or 3-5-2 – and made it clear that England must play at full intensity. “We know we’re expected to win,” he said. “But it’s about how we do it. We need to be precise, patient, and ready to break them down.”
Asked about the Latvian team, Tuchel admitted he couldn’t list their players by name but said the analysis is complete. “We know their numbers, their patterns. Our full-backs know what their wingers do, our center-backs know their striker’s tendencies. We’re prepared.”
If England win, they’ll secure qualification early. Tuchel didn’t dwell on that, insisting the focus is on the match itself. “There’s no point looking ahead until we finish the job,” he said. “In football, nothing is guaranteed.”
He hasn’t revealed the starting lineup, but he praised the group’s attitude in training. “The spirit is good, the intensity is high. Whatever team starts, it will be a strong one,” he added.
When asked how he’d approach the game if he were Latvia’s coach, Tuchel said playing as the underdog can work to a team’s advantage. “When you’re expected to lose, the pressure isn’t on you. The longer they stay in the game, the more difficult it gets for us. But we want to impose our tempo and physicality from the start.”
The match will be played at Daugava Stadium, a venue with a running track around the pitch – something Tuchel is already familiar with from his time coaching in Germany. “It’s unusual, but the pitch looked good. There are no excuses,” he said.
