Former England assistant coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the Three Lions have the necessary attributes to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s side stumbled to a disappointing draw with Ghana last time out, but if they can find a consistent rhythm, starting with the match against Panama on Saturday, Hasselbaink says they can make a deep run.
During an exclusive conversation with 10bet, the 54-year-old also urged Tuchel to balance his squad rotation and backed captain Harry Kane to continue providing England with a world-class goal threat.
Maintaining momentum and belief
Asked how far he sees England going at the World Cup, Hasselbaink said: “If they can keep that energy, have that momentum and maintain that belief, I think they can go really far. I think they can go all the way.
“You need to find that momentum and find that rhythm in a tournament. They obviously have a good feeling at the moment and they need to keep hold of that and transmit it out.
“That’s what they are doing right now – they are transmitting that it is a wonderful camp and all that kind of stuff.
“As long as they can keep that spirit, they will go far because they have got the quality. They have the quality, the power and the pace. There is everything you need in that squad.”
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Tricky Panama game awaits
Despite the need to maintain momentum ahead of the knockouts, Hasselbaink thinks Tuchel will rest a few stars for the clash with Panama in New Jersey.
“You want to keep the momentum, but you are definitely going to rest players,” he noted.
“You’re going to see players start who need 90 minutes, or at least a good 70 minutes, under their belt.
“If they [had got] the win against Ghana, I think Tuchel [would have rested] Harry Kane. Now, Kane won’t like that – he never likes being rested – but it gives you a chance to give Ollie Watkins some minutes and hopefully some goals as well.
“That said, you don’t want to weaken your side too much because you still want to secure the win. You have to maintain that positive feeling in the camp and keep that momentum rolling.”
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Kane on a mission
On the importance of Kane to England’s hopes, Hasselbaink added: “Harry Kane is going to be Harry Kane.
“I’m not surprised. He’s on a mission. He is always on a mission. He’s focused, he’s sharp and he’s just incredibly good.
“We keep talking about him, but Harry Kane is just going to do what he does, which is being the absolute best he can be.
“He’s a hell of a player, a magnificent player, and he is always going to be a lethal threat in front of goal – always.”
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Simon Wilkes