Tuchel urges England to add long throws and long kicks ahead of World Cup

England manager Thomas Tuchel has told his players to prepare to use long throw-ins and long goalkeeper kicks as part of his plans for next summer’s World Cup.

Tuchel, whose side sit top of Group K in World Cup qualifying with four wins from four, said the team must widen their attacking patterns beyond short passing and build the set-piece and aerial options that have become more common in English football.

"I told you - the long throw-in is back," Tuchel said, adding that there is limited time but that the details will matter once the squad assembles for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. "But we do not have a lot of time. But once we arrive at the World Cup, all these things matter, so we will also talk about long throw-ins, we will talk about long kicks from the goalkeeper and not only playing short."

Tuchel noted that England have used fewer long balls during the current qualifying campaign than they did under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024, citing a rate of about 4% of passes compared with 8.8% at the European Championship. He also pointed out that two of England's four qualifying matches so far have been against Andorra, opponents against whom coaches often adapt tactics to the opponent's level.

The manager said he will work with his assistant coaches to reflect on playing patterns and set-piece options, and that crosses and other aerial strategies are becoming a feature again. England have three more international windows before pre-World Cup friendlies, time Tuchel expects to use for further training on these elements, provided the Three Lions qualify for the tournament.

England travel to face Serbia on Tuesday in their next qualifier, with the national team five points clear of the Serbs at the top of Group K. Tuchel’s England contract is due to run until the end of the World Cup.

The emphasis on long throws follows growing interest across English domestic and international football in maximising set-piece opportunities and direct methods of attack. Tuchel’s comments signal a willingness to diversify England’s tactical toolbox ahead of a major tournament, with specific work on training patterns and goalkeeper distribution to be incorporated into future briefings and practice sessions.