Pickford backs himself to take penalties as Tuchel urges England to write new chapter

Jordan Pickford has lifted the lid on Thomas Tuchel’s first major address to the England squad, describing how the head coach framed the 2026 World Cup as a series of chapters to be conquered one at a time — starting with their ten-day training camp in Miami.

Speaking from England’s Florida base, where the squad are preparing ahead of friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica before travelling to Kansas City for the tournament, Pickford said Tuchel’s message was unambiguous. “That’s our main goal. It is for everyone, to win and that is our main goal,” the goalkeeper said. “The manager said we’re here for ten days in Miami. We’ve got two friendly warm-up games, so that’s our first chapter.”

Pickford described a squad united by the weight of expectation that has built since England’s near-misses under Gareth Southgate. “There’s going to be hurdles, there are going to be chapters. And we’re going to have to deal with those chapters and enjoy the ride and enjoy the journey,” he said. “It’s my third World Cup, my fifth or sixth major now, and being away with the lads having that team togetherness gets us along there.”

The Everton goalkeeper was equally candid about Tuchel’s management style, painting a picture of a coach who balances levity off the pitch with forensic preparation on it. “He’s really good in the sense that he likes to have a bit of a laugh off the pitch. He likes to get involved. He likes to see us all engaged with each other off the pitch, but when you’re on the pitch, it’s work,” Pickford said. “He sets a high demand from us. And I think he knows we all repay him with that high demand he sets.”

On the subject of penalty shoot-outs — a recurring theme in England’s tournament history — Pickford confirmed Tuchel has already warned the squad they may need to win two separate shoot-outs to lift the trophy. The goalkeeper, who scored from the spot in the Nations League, said he would not shy away from the responsibility. “Yeah, I’d back myself 100 percent. I’ll back myself to take it. I’ll put the practice in and execute it,” he said, adding that saving penalties remains his primary focus.

England open their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.