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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>England face Serbia, Albania, Latvia &amp; Andorra</li><li>Tuchel &amp; Kane give their verdict</li><li>Manager says they have "strong opponents"</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

’Strong opponents!’ - Thomas Tuchel & Harry Kane react to England’s 2026 World Cup qualifying draw

<p>The Three Lions will play Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in Group K after the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/world-cup-2026-european-qualifiers-draw-date-time-live-stream-seeding-pots/blt67eab2f00cdae4bf" target="_blank">European qualifying draw</a> took place in Zurich earlier today. Kane responded to the draw on Instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/harrykane/" target="_blank">posting a screenshot</a> of the group captioned: "Looking forward to getting started on the road to the 2026 World Cup", while <a href="https://x.com/England/status/1867561300366438760" target="_blank">England posted a longer video of Tuchel</a> reacting to the news and giving credit to England's "strong opponents".</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thomas Tuchel reacts to the <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAWorldCup</a> qualifying draw 🤳 <a href="https://t.co/SawM7lO24o">pic.twitter.com/SawM7lO24o</a></p>— England (@England) <a href="https://twitter.com/England/status/1867561300366438760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Tuchel's side will be heavy favourites to win the group, especially considering how consistently strong the England men's team have been in recent qualifying campaigns. However, there certainly will be some tough challenges on the way; in particular, the fixtures against Serbia — who made things difficult for England in the group stages of Euro 2024 — and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/albania-euro-2024-squad/blt4d05b2cde6c453b5" target="_blank">Albania, who equipped themselves well</a> in the same tournament's 'group of death', getting a point against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and narrowly losing to Italy and tournament winners Spain.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Tuchel said: "Today was kick-off, a very exciting day. We know our group, four opponents, strong opponents: Serbia, Albania, Latvia - which is a new challenge for all of us - and Andorra. I can't wait to start in January and can't wait to see you in March when we play our first matches. Let's keep things going together."</p><p><strong></strong></p>

WHAT TUCHEL SAID

<p>This draw marks the start of a new dawn for England, with their first-ever <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/thomas-tuchel-named-england-manager-ex-chelsea-bayern-munich-boss-oversee-bid-2026-world-cup-glory/bltfa32673f01069cf5" target="_blank">German manager taking charge on January 1.</a> After a short break from club football, the 51-year-old seems fresh and excited about the new challenge ahead. That's not a huge surprise — the talent in England's ranks means he will be confident he can lead the country to glory at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and end almost 60 years of hurt.</p><p></p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

’Strong opponents!’ - Thomas Tuchel & Harry Kane react to England’s 2026 World Cup qualifying draw | Goal.com

England manager Thomas Tuchel and captain Harry Kane have reacted to the news of England&apos;s opponents for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.