Home
+
Published : 12 Nov 2025, 07:54 PM
England coach Thomas Tuchel said the time for experimentation is over as he prepares his squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
With a 100 percent record from six games in Group K, 18 goals scored and none conceded, England have breezed into next year's finals in North America where they will be among the favourites.
However, the German said there is no chance of trying out anything radically different at home to Serbia at Wembley on Thursday or in Tirana on Sunday -- England's last competitive matches before he names his World Cup squad.
"Do you feel I was experimenting in the last matches?" Tuchel told reporters at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground on Wednesday. "We try to adapt, but I didn't feel we were experimenting in the last two camps and we will not start in this camp.
"We take it serious, these are World Cup qualifiers -- at home. We want to build on what we've built and keep on going."
Former Chelsea manager Tuchel has recalled Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Manchester City's Phil Foden to the squad after they both missed the last two camps.
But while Tuchel said it was good they are back in the squad, both must earn their places in the starting line-up.
"We were driving the levels and standards without them. We are obliged to drive our own standards and build what we can build," he said. "Now they are back and it is their responsibility to contribute to this and it is what they are doing. The standards are clear."
Without Bellingham or Foden, England thrashed Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade in September in what was arguably the standout performance of his tenure.
That result, and a 1-0 loss to Albania, led to Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic resigning and his successor Veljko Paunovic has been left trying to salvage the qualification campaign.
Serbia are third and scrapping with Albania for a runners-up spot and a chance to qualify via the playoffs.
There might be more riding on Thursday's clash for the Serbs, but Tuchel said it was vital England maintain the momentum they have generated. He also expects Serbia to be highly motivated to make amends for what happened at home.
"We are already qualified. It should not matter because we play against or we play for our own standards," he said. "We play for our own levels.
"The (5-0 win in Belgrade) was mainly down to our quality that we had a very strong match, we did not let them breathe. Now there is a new coach with new energy, in the same strong group and a proud group of players. And we have to do it again."
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi will miss Thursday's game with a foot injury but Tuchel has not ruled him out for Albania.
"If he is not in training on Friday and not able to train on Saturday then we will not make him travel with us and he will of course get rest and treatment," the coach said.
"He is trying everything to be included in the second game. We will assess him every day."
After the conclusion of the qualifiers, Tuchel has two friendly internationals in March to fine-tune his squad, with Japan and Uruguay still to be confirmed as opponents.
The World Cup draw takes place on Dec 5.
