- England discovered their 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents on Friday
- Three Lions will have to make arrangements for home fixture against Andorra
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Thomas Tuchel’s England will have to make alternative arrangements for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra next September.
The German’s first opponents as Three Lions boss were revealed on Friday as the draw for the qualification stage of the 2026 World Cup was conducted in Zurich.
Tuchel, who officially begins duties on January 1, will get his first taste of action during the March international break with games against Albania and Latvia. Those games will also see the former Chelsea manager lead his side out at Wembley, a privilege that is set to be denied for England’s September international against Andorra because of clash with Coldplay.
The British band were only due to play at the home of football for six nights in August but, due to unprecedented demand, they added four more dates in September, which fall on either side of England’s fixture.
Although the Viva La Vida group are not due to perform on September 6 when Tuchel’s troops will be lining up against the European minnows, the extraordinary retrofit undertaken to turn a football stadium into the perfect space for a concert would make staging the game there impossible.
As a result, Harry Kane and Co will be playing a little further away from home than first planned.
Coldplay have scheduled a series of sold out shows at Wembley stadium in August and September
The British ban will play at the home of football on 10 nights and they will transform the famous old ground to suit their performance
Thomas Tuchel will begin duties as England manager on January 1, while his first match as boss will be against Albania in March
The news is sure to delight many fans across the country who will now find it easier to watch their England heroes up close. The FA has made strides in recent years to stage Three Lions fixtures outside of London.
The likes of Old Trafford, The Stadium of Light and St James’ Park have all hosted home games in recent seasons.
In addition to Albania, Latvia and Andorra, Tuchel’s side were also drawn against Serbian in Group K.
Following the draw, Tuchel admitted that he was aware of the mixed reaction to his appointment but he insisted he is ready prove his doubters wrong.
‘I read much less than you would expect,’ Tuchel said.
‘Maybe you can tell me how it was received. But no hard feelings for that. Of course, it will always be mixed.
‘So now I have to prove myself. And to the people who are maybe a bit concerned – to prove to them how much it means to me and that it’s a dream job for me that I will give my everything, and I’m the man for the job.’
Serbia are the highest ranked of England’s opponents at number 32 on the FIFA list. England have only played them once, winning 1-0 through a Jude Bellingham goal in the opening game of last summer’s Euros.
That apart England will not have reason to particularly fear Albania – who they have beaten four times from four games – or Latvia – who they have never played – and Andorra, against whom they have accumulated a 26-0 aggregate score over six matches.
