Thomas Tuchel Checks U.S. Bases with Kane Ahead of 2026

Thomas Tuchel wasted no time after England’s Club World Cup commitments, flying straight to the United States to gather critical intel for the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The newly appointed national boss met Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and other England colleagues in Jeddah before embarking on a whistle-stop tour of prospective American training hubs.

Thomas Tuchel’s Early Recon Mission

Tuchel’s itinerary includes stops in Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles. Speaking with local officials, he requested detailed data on climate patterns, altitude, travel times and pitch availability. The German coach believes England’s previous tournament shortcomings have stemmed partly from logistical blind spots, and he is intent on erasing those margins.

Insights from Club World Cup Stars

Kane, Fikayo Tomori and Jude Bellingham briefed the manager on coping with trans-continental flights and rapid temperature swings—issues they faced en route to Saudi Arabia. Tuchel also quizzed his players about hotel layouts, nutrition options and recovery facilities, all while reinforcing his tactical expectations for the upcoming Euro qualifiers.

Learning from Past Mistakes

England’s 2022 Qatar base was criticised for limited privacy and a lack of shade. Tuchel aims to secure a secluded complex with enough indoor hydrotherapy pools and climate-controlled gyms to offset North America’s summer heat. The FA support staff have already started negotiations with two MLS clubs to share their state-of-the-art medical suites.

Next Steps on the Road to 2026

Once Tuchel finalises a shortlist of venues, the FA will conduct a dry-run next summer, mirroring match-day travel and training loads. A decision is expected before the 2025 Confederations Cup warm-up.

Opinion: Tuchel’s meticulous planning is a welcome change. If the FA backs his vision, England could arrive in 2026 better prepared than ever—no excuses left.