Three Key Reasons Why England Could Finally Win the FIFA World Cup This Summer

Has any team suffered more heartbreak on the international stage than England? This summer's FIFA World Cup marks 60 long years since the Three Lions last hoisted the trophy, and in the six decades since 1966, there has been nothing but pain. Penalty shootouts, ghost goals, and controversial red cards: everything has seemingly conspired against the founders of the beautiful game over the years. But this year, the bookies think that their luck could well be about to change.

The popular betting outlet https://www.luckyrebel.la/sportsbook makes England an 11/2 second-favorite to win the World Cup this summer, with the 9/2-priced Spain the only team considered more likely. However, and perhaps crucially, it was La Roja who delivered England's most recent heartache, beating them in the final of Euro 2024 two years ago through Mikel Oyarzabal's last-gasp winner.

So, will 2026 be different? Or will the years of hurt extend into a 61st year? Here are three reasons why we feel England's time may finally have come.

Recent Near Misses

Before 2018, England's pain had turned into sheer embarrassment. They were shockingly dumped out of Euro 2016 by minnows Iceland, eliminated at the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, suffering disastrous defeats to both Italy and Uruguay, and thumped 4-1 by rivals Germany in the second round of the 2010 global showpiece. However, the appointment of Gareth Southgate changed everything.

The former Middlesbrough boss and England international defender was the man that no one wanted in charge. He knew that and rallied the troops, galvanizing his young squad with an us-against-the-world mentality. And that worked a treat as the Three Lions proceeded to reel off their most successful era since 1966.

In 2018, they reached the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Three years later, they went on to reach the European Championship final, before repeating that feat in 2024 as well. However, and arguably most importantly, the Three Lions lost all of those games, and the most recent loss to Spain in Berlin ultimately saw Southgate walk away from the Wembley hotseat; the weight of expectation turned toxic and proved too much to handle.

But ahead of 2026, those near misses should stand England in perfect stead. Talisman Harry Kane captained his side in all three of those defeats, while the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice started both Euro finals. While the heartbreaks certainly stung, that big game experience will prove invaluable on the grandest stage.

The Three Lions know what it takes to reach a major tournament final, and they will be able to manage their way through any tough semifinal tests they may have. If they have identified where they went wrong in those final defeats, then their path to the trophy should be clear.

Tuchel's Winning Mentality

Following Southgate's departure after that Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, England shockingly turned to a German for their next manager. That man is Thomas Tuchel, the man who led Chelsea to a shock Champions League victory in 2021. And the former Blues boss arrived with one mandate and one mandate only: Win the World Cup.

Tuchel only signed a two-year deal as manager, which runs until the end of the World Cup, proving that he has one sole task. And boy, has he set about completing it. England breezed through qualifying, winning all eight of their qualifiers without conceding a single goal. And not only that, but the manager has also made his own imprint on the team. Big names such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have found themselves on the sidelines, while underhauled names such as Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rodgers have played starring roles.

Tuchel is not one for bowing to egos; that much is already clear. He is also not one for bending his tactical philosophy in order to fit square pegs in round holes. Both these crucial points have seen the German boss lift silverware throughout his stellar managerial career, and they could be about to lead him to the biggest prize in the game.

All About the Balance

Former boss Southgate continually tried to fit his favorite players into a system that ultimately relied on individual brilliance, especially at Euro 2024. Trent Alexander-Arnold started games in central midfield, Kieran Trippier was at left back, and Phil Foden played wide on the left. The brilliance did come - see Jude Bellingham's last-gasp bicycle kick against Slovakia, Bukayo Saka's rocket against Switzerland, and Ollie Watkins' late winner against the Netherlands. In the final against Spain, however, the brilliance dried up when England needed it the most, and the manager's tactical ineptness was there for all to see.

Under Tuchel, there is no such gambling on moments of brilliance. He has alternated between Myles Lewis-Skelly and Djed Spence at left back, two actual left backs, rather than asking someone to play out of position. And, Luke Shaw's return to form with Manchester United provides a reliable third option. In midfield, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson provide the energy, two men willing to run through brick walls for the team. Ahead of them, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka are genuine wingers, willing to cut inside and cause maximum damage.

The result is that England, for the first time in a generation, have genuine balance. They don't look unorganized or out of ideas. They know how they want to play and, crucially, the players are of the required quality level to deliver what their manager is asking of them. Now, he is asking them to win the World Cup. Are they up to that task, too? We're about to find out.