Former England international and Liverpool star Michael Owen has publicly expressed his doubts about England’s prospects of winning the 2026 World Cup under manager Thomas Tuchel, citing concerns over the age of key players, declining form, and unfavorable climate conditions.
Speaking to 247Bet, Owen stated he is “not confident about us winning the World Cup at this stage,” despite acknowledging England as a “top footballing nation” that is consistently “knocking on the door – finals, semi-finals.” He suggested that other international sides may be “better suited to the conditions this time” as the tournament is set to be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, potentially facing very hot weather.
The primary concerns for the former striker revolve around the squad’s core. He cautioned that several senior figures, including captain Harry Kane, are getting older. “Star players such as Kane are getting older — he’s not going to be getting any better. While world-class players such as Kyle Walker will no longer be there.”
Owen also pointed to a perceived dip in form among current players, noting that “Even players like Foden are not at the top of their game compared to what they were a year or two ago.”
Furthermore, he expressed worry about the defense, questioning the depth at key positions: “Defensively, I worry too. We used to have a lot of good defenders. Now I’m thinking who’s going to play left-back? Who’s going to play centre-half? John Stones isn’t getting any younger.”
Overall, Owen concluded his assessment by saying, “I think we were probably better a year or two ago. But a lot changes in football.”
He emphasized that for England to succeed, a major upturn in performance would be required. Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the England manager in October 2024, with his tenure officially beginning in January 2025, and his primary remit is to secure the World Cup trophy.
