Jordan Pickford has his sights set on winning the 2026 World Cup after coming so close to helping England secure a major trophy in recent years. The goalkeeper played in the finals of both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, but England lost both times—once to Italy in a penalty shootout and again to Spain, thanks to a late goal.
Now, Pickford is excited about the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, the Champions League-winning manager, who will take over England’s team in January. Pickford believes this change could give them the boost they need to bring home silverware, something England hasn’t done since winning the World Cup in 1966.
“Our main target is to get to the USA and lift that trophy,” said Pickford. “We’ve come so close, and now we’re focused on going that one step further.”
He also sees a lot of new players stepping up, bringing fresh energy and competition for places in the team. “You’ve seen a lot of new faces in the last few camps, and that’s great for the squad,” Pickford added. “It’s all about having the best players at the right time, and we’ll be ready to win next year.”
Pickford, who recently earned his 73rd cap with a clean sheet in England’s 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland, is proud to match the record set by World Cup winner Gordon Banks. With only a few goalkeepers ahead of him in terms of caps, including Peter Shilton and David Seaman, he’s pleased with his achievements so far.
“I’m happy to match Banks’ record,” Pickford said. “But my focus now is on staying sharp for England.”
He’s determined to keep improving at Everton, aiming to be in top form when Tuchel takes over. “I’ve been England’s No.1 for seven years now,” Pickford said. “It’s all about staying focused, getting better every day, and being ready when March comes around.”
With the new manager and a refreshed squad, Pickford’s hoping the team can finally take that big step and bring home the World Cup in 2026.
