Tuchel Avoids Talk of Record as England Eyes Historic World Cup Qualifier Clean Sheet

England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, has confirmed he has not addressed the possibility of his team achieving a historic feat in their World Cup qualifying campaign during the buildup to Sunday's clash against Albania. If the Three Lions secure a victory and maintain a clean sheet, they would become the first European nation to go unbeaten in all their qualifiers without conceding a single goal.

With a guaranteed spot in next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, Tuchel emphasized his commitment to refining the squad’s foundations rather than fixating on records. "I didn’t speak a single word about that," he stated when asked about leveraging the achievement as motivation. "We need to get the foundation right to have a chance to have these records. Just by thinking about it or talking about it, nothing will change."

Tuchel praised the team’s mindset, highlighting their continued drive despite the absence of tangible stakes in the final group match. "The quality and mentality of the guys who didn’t play was on the highest level," he said. "It showed me we’re building and growing in the right way. Everyone is ready to play, desperate to start, and the competition is still on."

Albania, regardless of Sunday’s outcome, will finish second in their group and enter the World Cup play-offs. The match marks England’s last international fixture of the year, with Tuchel aiming to showcase progress since his appointment in January. "We should not focus too much on what we have to lose," he added. "We should be more excited about the next possibility to show our quality and have another exciting match."

England captain Harry Kane echoed Tuchel’s sentiment, calling the pursuit of a clean sheet "great motivation" for the players. "The last game in an England shirt for the year is always important to win for momentum," Kane said. "We know we’ve qualified, but not conceding any goals through the campaign is a special target." He also praised Tuchel’s influence, noting his "aura" and ability to instill confidence. "He’s done a really good job, especially coming in after Gareth Southgate. His tactical precision and enthusiasm are shaping the team for the upcoming tournament."