England boss Thomas Tuchel names five World Cup rivals he's wary of

Thomas Tuchel say his confidence is mounting that England can triumph at the World Cup - but he's named five rivals he anticipates will be major threats to his team. The Three Lions manager Tuchel has been recruited on an 18-month deal solely to secure football's ultimate prize in 2026.

Tuchel has already fulfilled the initial part of his remit by guiding England to the United States by becoming the first European nation to book their place for next summer's tournament. England achieved this feat without shipping a single goal, with Tuchel insisting his squad is progressing and will rank among the challengers next year - with Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France and Portugal.

When questioned whether claiming the trophy lies within England's reach, Tuchel declared: "Yes, it's a possibility. We will get there.

"I cannot promise that we will win it, but I feel that we will get there with a strong team and a strong cohesion and with the right spirit. I think it's building, and you can see it on the pitch, and this is the basis for all of it.

"Listen, I have my favourites, and we will start analysing the favourites very early, of course, because we think they will qualify. There's a huge amount of support within the FA. There's a huge amount of support and quality within the FA.

"So everybody is on that because there's a machine running behind it. And of course, we will analyse right now actually, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Portugal."

Tuchel also confessed that he is now realising a lifelong ambition of participating in a World Cup and the excitement is intensifying. He added: "It's good. And it's a special feeling. It's a special day. You don't qualify every day for a World Cup. It's all our childhood dream to be part of that. It's special.

"I cannot be more proud to arrive there as a coach. I just said to the players, they did excellent, and step by step, we're getting there. It's another great result.

"I feel the excitement now. I was a bit more nervous than normal today because I really wanted it, to get it over the line, because it's such a good feeling around the last two camps.

"So it's just nice to have the proof. I think the excitement will build. If it's bigger and bigger, I think it's the biggest tournament in the world."