England kicked off their campaign to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a professional but unremarkable 2-0 victory over Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025. Under the new management of Thomas Tuchel, the team saw Myles Lewis-Skelly score his first senior international goal on his debut, while Harry Kane extended his record tally to 70 goals for the national team. Despite the win, critics noted that England's performance showcased a slow buildup and a lack of attacking creativity, reminiscent of the previous Gareth Southgate era.
England's upcoming matchup against Latvia on March 24, 2025, presents a crucial opportunity for Tuchel and his squad to establish dominance in Group K. Despite Latvia's low FIFA ranking of 140th, they secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Andorra to kick off their qualifying campaign. Tuchel has already hinted at tactical changes, with emphasis on rotating the squad to find the most effective combinations.
In his first match as coach, Tuchel made four changes to the starting XI that faced Albania, with Reece James, Marc Guehi, Morgan Rogers, and Jarrod Bowen taking the field. Anthony Gordon, who picked up a hip injury during the previous match, was replaced, allowing Tuchel to experiment with his attacking options.
As the match against Latvia approached, it became apparent that Tuchel was eager to develop a more dynamic and aggressive approach to international play. He expressed the need for players like Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford to step up their performances, acknowledging their recent lower impact on the field. He stated, “We will encourage him to do what he does best - to go at defenders, to go into dribbles,” referring to Foden and challenging him to bring his club form to the national stage.
Tuchel's aim to implement a high-octane style of football may be tested against a Latvian side known for their defensive resilience. England's unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifiers at home extends to 32 matches, dating back to a loss against Croatia in November 2008. However, winning in a commanding fashion is essential for the Three Lions, given their standings within Group K, particularly with Serbia as their main rival.
The build-up to the match featured speculation over squad selections and how Tuchel would manage the demands of international and club football. The new head coach, who is known for his tactical flexibility and player management skills, stressed that he would not rotate his team merely for the sake of change but to optimize performance based on the opponent. He defended Marcus Rashford amidst concerns over his previous game, stating, “This is top-level international football,” and suggested that moments of reflection could serve as a “kick up the arse” for the players, pushing them toward improvement.
This match marks England's first-ever encounter with Latvia, which is underscored by the necessity for the home team to secure a comfortable victory to maintain momentum in their qualifying campaign. The road to the World Cup is a long one, but with two wins from two matches, England would be strategically positioned for the June qualifiers against Andorra and the high-stakes match in Belgrade against Serbia in September.
The appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England's manager was lauded by many, who see the former Chelsea coach as a stabilizing force within the program. With a deeper understanding of the players now than he did at the start of their journey, Tuchel remains focused on instilling a sense of aggressiveness and creativity in his squad.
As the match kicks off at Wembley at 7:45 PM GMT, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how England approaches the game against Latvia. Will Tuchel’s strategies translate into a vibrant and effective performance on the pitch? Only time will tell.
