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England makes history: 5-0 win secures first World Cup qualification!
England became the first European nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 win against Latvia.
England makes history: 5-0 win secures first World Cup qualification!
A real treat for all football fans: England qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an impressive 5-0 win against Latvia in Riga today. This makes the English the first European nation to buy a ticket to North America. With this success, Thomas Tuchel's team secured qualification two games before the end of the group phase. Pulse Sports reports that England have a perfect record throughout qualifying has six wins from six games and scored a remarkable 18 goals without conceding a single goal.
In the duel against Latvia, Harry Kane was once again the star of the show. The captain and goalscorer distinguished himself with two goals, which increased his international goal tally to an impressive 78 goals. Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze, who scored after being substituted, as well as an own goal from Maksims Tonisevs also contributed to the clear statement in this decisive game.
The next steps in preparation
With a view to the challenges ahead, Tuchel emphasized that the last two qualifying games against Serbia and Albania should primarily serve to optimally prepare the team for the World Cup. England is optimistic about the competition, as they are one of the seven nations seriously eyeing the title alongside teams like Spain, Brazil and France. Independent highlights that the situation on the international football scene appears less threatening than in previous tournaments, which only boosts the team's confidence.
However, the trainer also has challenges to overcome. Tuchel raises concerns about how his team will cope in North America's extreme temperatures while also highlighting the psychological demands on players. Ultimately, England's goal is to win an international title again after a long dry spell. Additionally, the absences of the talented Jude Bellingham from the last two international matches have raised questions about squad dynamics.
The path to the World Cup brings with it squad questions
Despite these challenges, the coach made it clear that the England team has great potential across the board. Eze's goal shows that there are alternatives to make life difficult for opponents. Still, an essential question remains whether the team is able to control games, especially without key players. Tuchel also responded to the mood at Wembley after being criticized for it in the past. It remains to be seen how the fans will behave in the near future and whether this can help the team.
With an eye on the upcoming World Cup draw, which will take place on December 5th at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. England can look to the future with confidence after this monumental success. Qualification for the largest tournament in the world has been impressively achieved and anticipation for the games in North America is growing.