England sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 5-0 victory over Latvia at the Daugava Stadium in Riga on Tuesday night. The win marked another strong performance from Thomas Tuchel’s side, who have now qualified for their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Captain Harry Kane, returning from injury, led by example with two goals, taking his international tally to 76. Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon opened the scoring early on, setting the tone for a one-sided encounter. Latvia’s Maksims Toņiševs then turned the ball into his own net before Eberechi Eze added a fourth, capping off a dominant display by the Three Lions.
England’s attacking strength and defensive discipline have defined their qualifying campaign. The team won all six of their Group K matches without conceding a single goal, becoming the first European nation to officially qualify for the 2026 tournament to be held in North America.
Manager Thomas Tuchel praised his players for maintaining focus throughout the qualifiers and lauded their professionalism. The win in Riga was a testament to England’s growing confidence under his leadership, as the team continues to build depth and consistency across all positions.
Latvia, on the other hand, struggled to contain England’s relentless pace and fluid movement. Their defence was overwhelmed early, and they rarely threatened at the other end. The home fans watched in silence as England cruised to victory, controlling possession and dictating the tempo throughout.
For Kane, the match was a personal milestone as he continued his record-breaking run for England. His sharp finishing and leadership proved crucial once again, demonstrating his importance ahead of next year’s tournament.
With qualification now secured, England will shift their focus to fine-tuning their squad and tactics for the World Cup. Tuchel is expected to use upcoming friendlies to test younger players and strengthen squad depth before the global showpiece kicks off in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The convincing win over Latvia not only confirmed England’s qualification but also reinforced their status as one of Europe’s top contenders heading into the 2026 World Cup.
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