2026-07-01 08:33:13

Jordan Pickford says England players are “ready to go to war” for manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Three Lions take on DR Congo in their World Cup last 32 tie in Atlanta on Wednesday (01.07.26), and the goalkeeper says the players want to repay the faith the coach has placed in them.

Asked what’s different under Tuchel’s management, Pickford said: “Belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the manager’s got that belief in us.

“The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. There is different meetings he has tactically, and it is like, ‘Yeah, it is go time.’

“We all want the same goal, we all want that end goal and this squad he has picked, we are all in good spirits and all in good moments in our career.”

Pickford could be thrust into the spotlight should England need penalties to beat DR Congo but he claims that the squad are focused on getting the job done inside 90 minutes.

The Everton goalkeeper told ITV: “We want to win the game in 90 minutes, but we will ready as a team, as a group, as England to do what it takes to get the victory.

“If it goes to penalties, extra time, we have got the ability, we have got the lads to come off the bench, our togetherness is a high level and that is what we are here to do.

“We are here to do the job. We know Congo is a tough nation, we know how many teams in Africa have qualified for the next round of games.

“They are a proud nation, and we have got to be ready for what they bring – but it is also about what we bring as a group, and we will be right after them.”

Meanwhile, Pickford revealed that he is continuing to work with a psychologist to help him produce for England in key moments at the tournament.

He said: “[It is] a lot of growth I am working on and being the best version of myself.

“We have got targets, who I am working with, and it is about being the best version of me and where that can take me. We know the journey it can take me on, and believing in that, and being me.”

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