Six Reasons Why England Will Not Win the World Cup Even With Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane
Three decades after football was supposed to come "home" in 1996, England are still searching for their first major international trophy since lifting the World Cup in 1966. With Thomas Tuchel now in charge and an impressive qualifying campaign behind them, optimism is growing around the Three Lions.
England look strong under Thomas Tuchel, but defensive issues, injuries and pressure could derail their World Cup hopes.
England won every World Cup qualifier and did not concede a single goal. They also arrive as FIFA's fourth-ranked team and runners-up at the last two European Championships. With players such as Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in the squad, expectations are understandably high.
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Tuchel's record of winning trophies across multiple countries, including the Champions League with Chelsea, has only strengthened belief. Yet despite the talent available, several issues continue to raise doubts about England's ability to finally end their long wait for silverware.
1. Defensive Concerns Remain
England's flawless defensive record during qualification does not completely erase concerns about the back line.
Nico O'Reilly enjoyed a breakthrough season with Manchester City, but he remains relatively inexperienced as a left-back and often plays in a more advanced role. Tuchel's decision not to select a specialist left-back has therefore raised questions.
Fitness concerns also surround key defenders. John Stones has struggled with injuries for years, while Reece James has experienced similar physical setbacks. Their availability throughout a demanding tournament is far from guaranteed.
Should injuries strike, England would likely turn to players such as Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence. While talented, their limited international experience leaves uncertainty over England's depth.
2. Challenging Conditions in the United States
Weather conditions could become a major factor during the tournament.
The Club World Cup in the United States highlighted the difficulties teams may face. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described the heat as "impossible" for normal training sessions, while Enzo Fernandez admitted he felt "dizzy" during matches.
Although FIFA has introduced cooling breaks to help players manage the temperatures, England could still face difficulties adapting. Players from colder climates may find the demanding conditions particularly draining.
Harry Kane believes England's players can cope, while Marc Guehi praised the team's early arrival in America.
However, ball retention may become increasingly important as fatigue builds. England's energetic midfielders bring plenty of qualities, but maintaining possession against elite opponents could become a challenge in extreme conditions.
3. Questions Over Bukayo Saka's Fitness
Bukayo Saka was one of England's standout performers at Euro 2024, but his physical condition heading into the World Cup remains a concern.
The Arsenal winger endured multiple injury setbacks during the club season. Those issues contributed to concerns over his effectiveness in key matches, including the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Tuchel recently revealed that Saka is still working his way back from an Achilles issue sustained in March.
"Bukayo is still getting there," the England boss told reporters. "[He was] playing through discomfort at the end of the season, obviously managing it and playing at a high level, but still not at 100 per cent."
Perhaps most worrying is Tuchel's admission that Saka is still unable to train on consecutive days, creating uncertainty about whether he can consistently perform at his highest level during the tournament.
4. Lack of Impact Options from the Bench
England's squad possesses quality, but there are concerns about the number of genuine game-changing options available from the bench.
Rio Ngumoha attracted attention with his performance against New Zealand, leading some to question why he was not considered for the World Cup squad. While his age and experience may explain the decision, the debate highlighted concerns about England's attacking depth.
Tuchel left out Phil Foden and Cole Palmer after underwhelming seasons, while Morgan Rogers emerged as a strong alternative. However, some observers questioned the absence of Morgan Gibbs-White, who enjoyed a productive Premier League campaign.
There are also doubts surrounding Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke after recent performances, while Anthony Gordon's club campaign failed to generate significant momentum.
Marcus Rashford's improved form at Barcelona provides encouragement, but overall England appear short of attackers capable of dramatically changing matches from the bench.
5. Heavy Reliance on Harry Kane
Few teams depend on a single player as much as England depend on Harry Kane.
Following a defeat to Japan earlier in the year, Tuchel defended the team's reliance on its captain.
"Well, why would Argentina not rely on (Lionel) Messi or Portugal not rely on Cristiano Ronaldo?" Tuchel countered. "This is totally normal."
He added: "In the absence of Harry Kane, we don't have the same threat. But Bayern Munich in the absence of Harry Kane don’t have the same threat. No team in the world has the same threat."
The concern is not simply Kane's importance, but the gap between him and his alternatives.
Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney both offer options, yet neither possesses Kane's international record or influence. If England were to lose their captain through injury, their attacking threat would diminish significantly.
6. The Weight of Expectations
Perhaps England's greatest challenge is psychological.
For decades, England have repeatedly entered major tournaments with high expectations only to fall short when it matters most. Even during Gareth Southgate's successful tenure, the team twice finished as runners-up in European Championship finals.
Tuchel has attempted to reduce expectations.
"We can't be," he argued on Tuesday, "because we haven't won it for so many years. We see ourselves as competitors and challengers. We want to go all the way but I don't think we are [among] the heavy favourites. There are proven winners in the tournament with more success."
Yet history continues to follow England into every major competition. Questions remain about how the team will respond if faced with adversity, a penalty shootout, or difficult knockout matches against elite opponents.
