Former Tottenham star Steffen Freund has assessed England's chances for the 2026 World Cup, suggesting they hold a superior position to that of Germany.
Freund's primary reasoning stems from what he perceives as England's greater squad depth. While acknowledging the presence of gifted German talents such as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, he argues that the overall German squad lacks the elite depth necessary to consistently perform at a global level and challenge for major titles.
In contrast, Freund believes England, under the management of Thomas Tuchel, possesses a more robust pool of players. However, he identifies a significant challenge for Tuchel: effectively managing the egos and individual aspirations of a full 26-man squad throughout the demanding duration of a World Cup tournament.
This aspect of man-management is where Freund sees a potential weakness for Tuchel. He draws a comparison to Vincent Kompany's tenure at Bayern Munich, suggesting that Kompany demonstrated a better aptitude for handling player relationships and fostering team cohesion.
Freund's outlook for Germany's World Cup prospects remains pessimistic. He feels the national team lacks the balanced and deep squad that is crucial for navigating the intense knockout stages and competing against established powerhouses like Brazil or France.
Despite his own national allegiance, Freund candidly admits he doesn't foresee Germany lifting the World Cup trophy. He contrasts this with England's situation, which he views as presenting more favorable conditions and a stronger foundation for a potential tournament victory.
