Revealed: Thomas Tuchel’s first games as England manager as World Cup qualifying schedule is confirmed with Wembley double-header in March

The first opponents of Thomas Tuchel’s England tenure have been revealed.

Tuchel will officially take over as England head coach on January 1, with his first task being to guide the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup finals, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Friday’s World Cup qualifying round saw England placed in Group K.

Then they have to compete against Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.

England were eliminated by France, led by Gareth Southgate, in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Three Lions were defeated in the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 by Italy and Spain respectively.

Tuchel’s first match as England manager will be at home to Albania on March 21, followed by a match against Latvia three days later.

Tuchel’s first away match will take place on June 7 in Andorra, while England will play the same opponents at home on September 6.

England start their World Cup qualifying campaign with a home match against Albania

England face a potentially challenging trip against Serbia on September 9

However, it remains to be seen whether the return against the Andorrans will be played at Wembley, due to the crowds in the national stadium.

Coldplay are playing at the venue on September 3, 4, 7 and 8, meaning there will be a quick turnaround to transform the arena into a playing field, if the turf is indeed in good condition.

A potentially challenging trip against Serbia awaits on September 9, ahead of the away match against Latvia on October 14.

England next take on Serbia at Wembley on November 13 before wrapping up the qualifying campaign away to Albania on November 16.