England Coach Tuchel Plans Long Throws Strategy for World Cup 2026

England's head coach Thomas Tuchel has emphasized the tactical revival of long throw-ins as a key strategy for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, highlighting its growing prominence in English football. The use of long throws into the penalty area has nearly doubled this Premier League season, with teams like Brentford and Crystal Palace demonstrating their effectiveness in creating scoring opportunities. Tuchel acknowledged the limited preparation time before the tournament but stressed the need to incorporate long throws, goalkeeper long balls, and crosses to enhance England's attacking options and counter modern pressing styles. This approach follows England's recent 2-0 victory over Andorra in World Cup qualifying, maintaining their perfect record and top position in Group K. Analysts note that the expected goals from throw-ins have significantly increased in recent seasons, validating Tuchel's focus on these 'vintage' tactics. The long throw-in's resurgence reflects a broader trend in English football, with multiple teams now adopting it as a strategic weapon.