SOCCER: Tuchel says England not World Cup favourites but can dare to dream

England manager Thomas Tuchel has said he does not consider his team among the favorites for the World Cup, but remains confident they are well prepared and capable of “daring to dream” about winning the trophy.

While bookmakers continue to place England among the leading contenders, Tuchel pointed to the national team’s long wait since their only World Cup title in 1966 as a factor that shapes expectations. He compared England’s situation to an unseeded player arriving at Wimbledon, saying past success plays a major role in defining favorites.

“We’re not the top favorites. We can’t be, because we haven’t won it for so, so many years,” Tuchel told reporters in Florida on Tuesday, on the eve of England’s final warm-up match against Costa Rica.

“There are proven winners in the tournament with more success in recent tournaments. So, these are the favorites, and we compete for the trophy.”

He added that while England can still win the tournament, it requires the right mentality and focus.

“It’s just like if you go to Wimbledon and you’ve never won it, you’re not the favorite. But you can win it, of course, and we want to win it. We know what it takes, and it takes a calm mindset and focus on our steps.”

Tuchel, who is set to lead a team at the World Cup for the first time, said his experience in UEFA Champions League campaigns at club level has helped him understand how to manage tournament football.

“It is my opinion and my conviction that once you reach the quarter-finals, you can go all the way,” he said.

“It’s important not to try to digest the whole tournament in one piece, and to focus on what we can influence. At the moment, this is the prep camp, and then we will take care of the group stage.

“Make sure that you go through your group and don’t get distracted by overthinking. Once you are in a quarter-final, then you can go all the way and the belief will be there, but there has to be a lot of work done.”

England begin their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Dallas with a rematch of their 2018 World Cup semifinal against Croatia.

Tuchel said his assessment of England’s chances should not be interpreted as a lack of belief in the squad.

“I have belief. We all have belief,” he said. “We all have a dream, but it comes with responsibility and hard work and commitment and discipline, and sometimes it comes with disappointment and setbacks.

“This is all included, but we dare to dream and it’s important.” -Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Edwina Gibbs/Reuters