Thomas Tuchel says England are ready to make the nation proud as they finally kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia.
Excitement and anticipation is building ahead of Wednesday’s Group L curtain raiser at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium as the first European nation to qualify for this summer’s tournament become one of the last countries to get going.
England are among the favourites to lift the World Cup on July 19 and start the tournament with a tough test against Croatia in Texas.
“One message to the nation? I hope they enjoy our mission, and they can feel and see tomorrow what I felt and saw the last 16 days,” head coach Tuchel said.
“Brilliant effort, brilliant atmosphere, attitude from players and from the whole team around the team, behind the team, so I hope we can express that and we can show that, and they can be proud of us. That’s what we want to achieve.
“I am personally very excited. The 16 days flew by, so now we’re here at the starting line, tomorrow we enter the tournament.
“Once you arrive at the venue in the city where you play, you instantly feel the tension and the excitement, and that’s how it should be, so I feel that we are ready to go, and let’s see tomorrow.”
Tuchel set out his ambition to add a second star to England’s shirt upon his appointment and the excitement ahead of his first major tournament was palpable.
“I remember the first parade that I had in Dortmund,” the former Chelsea boss said. “There are hundreds of thousands of people on the street, and you realise what it means to them.
“So, doing this for a country, I can only imagine what joy it could bring, to be proud of their team, to be proud of their players – and that’s the key.
“I think no one expects us to give a guarantee that we win it. No one expects that we promise to win it, but the way we play, the way we arrive and the way we try, I think and I hope that they can feel it and they can be proud of us. And to bring that joy, that’s a target and that’s the underlying purpose.”
Group games against Ghana and Panama follow Wednesday’s Group L meeting with Croatia, which will be officiated by Clement Turpin.
Tuchel once called the French referee a “Grade E” official after a game with Bayern Munich but insists he has no concerns about his involvement or quality.
“No, he’s a top referee, and he was not happy with my behaviour in the match, so he gave me a red card, and I was not happy with his performance in the match,” the England boss added.
“It’s always better to not speak about the referee as a coach. It’s maybe not always possible because it brings out emotion, and it was an emotional night and very important match in Champions League.
“But if I get a red card, I don’t hold it against the referee. We’re fighting for the best outcome, we’re competing in sports and I think it’s the same for him.
“I truly believe that he’s a top referee, which he proves on the highest level and he will show it tomorrow.”
