England manager Thomas Tuchel has sent a clear message to his squad ahead of their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match: avoid any unnecessary red cards that could result in suspensions for next year’s tournament.

The warning comes after Cristiano Ronaldo received a red card during Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland, ruling him out of the opening stages of Portugal’s World Cup campaign should they qualify automatically. Tuchel wants to ensure that his own players do not face similar setbacks.

“No red cards, please,” Tuchel said during a press conference ahead of Sunday’s match against Albania. “It is important. I’m aware of it and we will talk about it.”

England have already secured qualification for the World Cup with two games to spare, boasting a perfect record of seven wins from seven games in Group H. Albania, meanwhile, have guaranteed a spot in the play-offs regardless of Sunday’s result.

Tuchel Stresses Discipline Over Records

When asked whether he would prefer risking a loss over a player being sent off, Tuchel emphasized discipline above all:

“It is an extreme example. If someone is the last man and we can avoid it, no red card of course. I don’t want to make the subject too big because then you have a cloud above you.”

The Three Lions have also kept a clean sheet in all qualifying matches so far, with 20 goals scored and none conceded. If England and Spain win their final games without conceding, they would become the first European nations to win at least six qualifiers consecutively while maintaining a perfect defensive record.

However, Tuchel insists that he has not used potential records as motivation, focusing instead on building a solid foundation for the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico:

“Just by thinking about it or talking about it, nothing will change. We need to deliver again. The feeling and the trust are absolutely there because I witnessed this in camp. I trust my players to perform again.”

Building Momentum Ahead of the World Cup

The Albania fixture marks England’s last match of the year and the final international break before Tuchel announces his squad for the World Cup. The manager is keen to see continued development and a performance that reflects the progress the team has made since he officially took charge in January.

“I hope the hunger to win and achieve something is bigger than the fear of losing or losing a record,” Tuchel said.

Harry Kane Advocates NFL-Style Set-Pieces

England captain Harry Kane has also highlighted the team’s plans to innovate tactically at the World Cup, drawing inspiration from the NFL. The team is developing a set-piece “playbook” to maximize corners, free-kicks, and long throws—an area Kane believes can be decisive in tournament football.

“We want to build a book of set-plays where we can go into the tournament and adjust based on the opposition,” Kane said. “The best team at set-plays normally goes on to be the best team in the tournament.”

Kane emphasized that this approach is practical for tournament football, where preparation time is limited and set-piece execution can often make the difference between victory and defeat.

Looking Ahead

As England prepare to face Albania, Tuchel’s focus remains on discipline, cohesion, and continued progress rather than records or accolades. With qualification already secured, the team can approach the final match with a balance of caution and ambition—ensuring all players remain eligible for the World Cup while fine-tuning strategies that could prove pivotal on the global stage.