Thomas Tuchel stated that England’s first World Cup starting XI against Croatia is still undecided, even with the opener in North America on 17 June approaching. The head coach is instead focusing on assessing fitness, form and tactical balance before committing to any final selection.

England’s group-stage schedule sends the team from that 17 June clash with Croatia to follow-up fixtures against Ghana on 23 June and Panama on 27 June. Preparations include warm-up friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica, with New Zealand providing the first test on Saturday.

This weekend’s meeting with New Zealand also marks England’s return to playing in the United States, where the team last appeared in June 2014. On that occasion, the Three Lions drew 2-2 with Ecuador and 0-0 with Honduras at the Sun Life Stadium before the World Cup in Brazil.

Tuchel accepts that much of the attention already centres on the Croatia game, but the coaching staff are taking a phased approach. Work in training has targeted sharpness and clarity of roles, while analysis of opponents will intensify as the squad moves between venues in North America.

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Asked about his current thinking, Tuchel replied carefully. “I am still processing it,” said Tuchel. That short response reflected an ongoing evaluation period rather than any late concern, with competition for places still open across several positions in the starting line-up.

Tuchel then expanded on why an early decision feels unnecessary and even risky. “I don’t want to narrow it down, and then we have maybe a slight injury worries or someone is carrying something who is not confident, and it just freaks me out! We will always take last decisions, but I have a clear idea, I think, of 14 or 15 starters who can and should start for us and carry this team. We will always have this pool of players to choose from, and to choose from also what we see from the energy, who is in shape, who is in form, who fits the opponent better.”

Tuchel explained that detailed scouting of Croatia has already started over recent weeks. “I had a detailed look already at Croatia over the last weeks, but the last week has been completely about us and our behaviours. I will dive into this subject when we go to Kansas and prepare from then.”

England also carry a favourable record into the New Zealand warm-up. The sides have met only twice before, both in June 1991, when England won 1-0 in Auckland and 2-0 in Wellington. Those victories underline a historical edge, even if current conditions are different.

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Recent performance trends against lower-ranked nations also support England’s status ahead of facing New Zealand, who are ranked 85th by FIFA. England have won each of their last 37 matches against teams ranked 85th or lower, a run dating back to a 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in September 2005.

With competitive fixtures nearing, England’s camp centres on fitness, tactical clarity and opponent analysis rather than a locked starting XI. Tuchel’s plan keeps options open until late, while the schedule, historical records and ranking statistics all point to a solid platform for the World Cup campaign.