Former Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Steffen Freund has claimed that England are currently in a stronger position than Germany to challenge for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he also issued a word of caution, pointing out a possible pitfall for Thomas Tuchel. Freund suggested that while the Three Lions boast greater squad depth, Tuchel’s track record in handling player relationships could become a stumbling block in their bid for glory.

England seen as stronger World Cup contenders

The ex-German international offered an interesting view on the international football scene, stating that England are better placed than his homeland to lift the World Cup in 2026. Although Germany can rely on rising stars like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Freund believes their overall squad depth does not yet match the elite standards required to dominate the global tournament hosted across North America.

Explaining his stance to Betway, Freund said, “They definitely have a better chance of winning the World Cup than Germany. Everyone in England must understand how difficult it was for Tuchel to finalise his 26-player squad because there are so many great options available in England.”

He added, “We still have many debates in Germany about certain players. For instance, whether Matthias Ginter or Said El Mala should make the cut. But for Thomas Tuchel, managing England’s squad selection is far more complicated.”

Tuchel’s challenge and possible weak spot

Freund acknowledged that Tuchel’s tactical acumen has added a new dimension to the England setup, but he also pointed out a critical area of concern. Having closely followed Tuchel’s career across both the Bundesliga and the Premier League, Freund believes that the coach’s interpersonal management could determine how well England handle the intensity of a major tournament’s closing phases.

Freund cautioned, “From a German perspective, I really hope he manages to keep the team united. If Tuchel has shown any weakness, it’s in managing individual players. In that aspect, you can already see Vincent Kompany doing a better job at Bayern Munich than Tuchel did. This becomes crucial during the World Cup, where you spend six to seven weeks together if you reach the final. It’s never easy when all 26 players want playing time.”

Germany’s current struggles and future outlook

Freund painted a rather grim picture for Germany’s World Cup chances, noting a considerable gap between Julian Nagelsmann’s side and the world’s top teams. Despite having a star like Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, Freund argued that the squad lacks the balance needed to overcome football powerhouses such as Brazil or France, especially under the demanding travel and weather conditions expected in 2026.

“I said the same thing four years ago in Qatar – we can’t be the champions. We can’t win the World Cup,” Freund admitted candidly. “We have young talents like Lennart Karl, Musiala, and Wirtz, but we don’t possess the deep, well-rounded squad that England, France, or Spain have. Then there are teams like Brazil and Argentina, who can easily beat Germany. As much as I’d love to say we can win it, sadly, I don’t believe we will.”

England and Germany: World Cup 2026 group stage schedule

Germany have been placed in Group E alongside Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. The four-time world champions will begin their campaign on June 14 against Curacao at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Meanwhile, England find themselves in Group L, where they will face a tough lineup featuring Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. The Three Lions will kick off their World Cup journey on June 17 with a high-profile clash against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.

This opening fixture is expected to be a decisive one, potentially determining which team secures the top position in Group L.