Fabio Capello has warned that England must overcome fear and fatigue if England are to succeed at the World Cup, while also predicting Thomas Tuchel’s squad will arrive at the tournament with heavy legs after a demanding club season.

Capello suggested psychological and physical issues have followed England across tournaments. Speaking about the current group, Capello said the combination of tired players and caution on the biggest stage could again limit England’s chances of lifting the trophy in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Reflecting on the challenge for Tuchel, Capello told BBC Sport: “This is the problem for England, he told BBC Sport. They are tired, and they fear. The manager, he has to cancel these two things.” Capello believes addressing those factors is essential before the opening match against Croatia on June 17.

Capello pointed to England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy as a clear example of this mindset. “I remember the game against Italy, he said. They are winning after 10-15 minutes, and after they don’t play. They play with fear.” England eventually lost that final on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

England’s World Cup record underlines the pressure facing Tuchel. England last won the tournament in 1966 on home soil, and since then the best results have been fourth-place finishes at Italia 1990 and Russia 2018, despite periods of strong form and high expectations.

Capello’s own spell in charge of England ran from December 2007 until February 2012. During that time, England reached only one major tournament under Capello, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where England scored three goals across four games before going out against Germany.

England World Cup preparation under Thomas Tuchel

Looking back on that 2010 campaign, Capello argued his England squad had been drained by the domestic schedule. Capello blamed the Premier League’s lack of a winter break, suggesting players arrived at the tournament already fatigued, and Capello now sees similar warning signs for Tuchel’s group.

Tuchel replaces Gareth Southgate after Southgate guided England to the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals, losing on each occasion. Tuchel’s first qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup was perfect, with England winning every qualifier, yet England failed to beat Uruguay or Japan in March friendlies.

Before travelling to the World Cup, England will meet New Zealand and Costa Rica in further warm-up matches. Those fixtures offer Tuchel chances to adjust tactics and test fitness, as England head into another major tournament still carrying questions about form, energy levels and big-game mentality.