England’s march to the 2026 World Cup is complete after a flawless 5–0 demolition of Latvia in Riga on Tuesday night. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions have sailed through qualifying with six wins from six, not conceding a single goal along the way — a record that underlines the German’s disciplined transformation of a once-stuttering side.
Harry Kane led the charge with two goals, including a trademark penalty, taking his tally to 76 international strikes, while Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze added their names to the scoresheet. A Latvian own goal rounded off a performance that was equal parts ruthless and relaxed — the sign of a team brimming with control and confidence.
Tuchel praised his players’ “focus and cohesion,” pointing to England’s depth as a potential game-changer heading into next summer’s tournament in North America. With talents like Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Declan Rice hitting peak form, England finally look capable of matching their promise with consistency.
But before thoughts drift to Los Angeles and Toronto, attention now snaps back to the Premier League, where storylines are stacking up fast. Liverpool return to Anfield under growing scrutiny after a stuttering start to the season, while Manchester City look to extend their unbeaten run with Erling Haaland back among the goals.
At the top, Arsenal remain relentless — unbeaten and brimming with belief after a string of efficient wins. Sol Campbell has already stoked the fires, suggesting his former club “can win the title with just one key addition,” though Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou are showing they might not go quietly either.
Elsewhere, Everton fans will be buoyed by news that Jordan Pickford is set to sign a new deal, while Burnley’s ambitious ownership move into Spain — completing a takeover of Espanyol — marks another step in the growing multi-club trend sweeping English football.
With international duty wrapped up, the focus shifts to domestic duels and drama. The fatigue of travel, the buzz of qualification, and the quick turnaround will test even the best squads — and by Sunday night, the Premier League table could look very different once again.
