The Football Association (FA) made it official this Thursday, February 12, 2026. Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract, extending his tenure as World Cup England head coach until the end of Euro 2028.
This big move gives the national team some much-needed stability. It comes right before the upcoming 2026 World Cup and puts to bed all that chatter about his future.
Tuchel’s Unbeaten Run and New Commitment
This new deal adds two years to Tuchel’s original agreement. It was set to run out after the 2026 World Cup, but now he’s committed for the long haul, taking England through another major tournament cycle.
And what a run he’s had so far. Tuchel boasts a perfect record in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, winning all eight games in Group K. His team didn’t even concede a single goal, making England the first UEFA nation to qualify for the tournament, reported Goal.com.
He’s also keeping his trusted backroom staff. Anthony Barry, Henrique Hilario, Nico Mayer, and James Melbourne are all staying until 2028 too. That’s a good sign for continuity.
Tuchel sounded pretty happy about it all. He said, “I am very happy and proud to extend my time with England. It is no secret… I have loved every minute so far… cannot wait to lead them to the World Cup,” according to an ESPN report.
Snubbing the Giants for the Three Lions
This extension puts a stop to a lot of speculation. Apparently, there was serious interest from clubs like Manchester United and even talk of Real Madrid looking his way. But Tuchel picked England.
The FA moved fast to get this done, and it squashed all the club speculation. They wanted to provide “clarity and full focus” on the World Cup, which makes sense.
Tuchel actually spoke about how much he enjoys the job. He said, “I fell in love with the England job… very soon, I fell in love with the job and the role… pleasure to extend and try to complete the full cycle of two tournaments,” as noted by Sports Mole. And that’s a big statement.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham was delighted. He told everyone Tuchel is the “right person for the job” and that he’s strengthened his reputation. Players are behind him, apparently.
World Cup Hopes and Future Ambitions
England looks strong for the 2026 World Cup now. They’re definitely contenders for the title, especially after those perfect qualifiers. That’s a great position to be in.
The team already knows its World Cup group. They’ll face Croatia in Dallas on June 17, Ghana in Boston on June 23, and Panama in New Jersey on June 27. Those are some big games.
Before that, they’ve got friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March. Then New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida. It’s a busy schedule leading up to the main event.
And it’s not just the World Cup. England also has ambitions to win the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. Tuchel even mentioned Euro 2028 will be a “very special tournament.”
There’s a good bond in the squad too. Tuchel noted a “special bond between the players” which helps produce “extraordinary results.” That’s key for any successful international team.
Stability Ahead for the Three Lions
This extension gives England exactly what it needs: a clear path forward. No more distractions about the manager leaving. Everyone can just focus on the football now.
Tuchel’s commitment means England has a leader who’s passionate about the job. And that could make all the difference in their chase for international glory.
Ishaan Singh 
Baishali Karmakar 
Govind Singh