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THOMAS TUCHEL’S first game as England manager has been revealed.
The Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup qualifying group sees them come up against Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.
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Tuchel was at today’s draw but does not officially start as England boss until January.
A date has been set for his first game in charge, with the German’s reign kicking-off on Friday night at Wembley against Albania on March 21.
Three days later, there is another home clash for him versus Latvia.
Tuchel’s third match in charge on June 7 is away to Andorra.
They will then play a friendly afterwards in the same international window against an unnamed opponent.
Three Lions chiefs then have a venue headache to deal with as Andorra come to England for the return fixture on September 6.
Wembley Stadium is seemingly out of action that night due to Coldplay concerts on the days either side, meaning the match will have to be played elsewhere.
England then take on Serbia on September 9.
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England's World Cup qualifying dates
- Albania (H) – March 21
- Latvia (H) – March 24
- Andorra (A) – June 7
- Andorra (H) – September 6
- Serbia (A) – September 9
- Latvia (A) – October 14
- Serbia (H) – November 13
- Albania (A) – November 16
Another friendly follows before Lavia away on October 14.
Then the qualification campaign finally comes to an end with a double-header against Serbia at home on November 13 and Albania away on November 16.
Tuchel’s squad could be very different to the ones picked by Gareth Southgate and Lee Carsley as the ex-Chelsea boss has promised a fresh start to all players, including the self-exiled Ben White.
The new manager said today: “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. It starts from January.
“I will be in the stadiums from January. The players should just know, ‘okay, the boss is there from January’.
“Then I will of course try to speak to them, but also be respectful to the schedule that they have, because the schedule is busy in January, especially in the Premier League.”
Asked about White, Tuchel said: “Yes. I will reach out to him.”
World Cup qualifying draw in full
Group A: Winner GER/ITA, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser POR/DEN, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner FRA/CRO, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner SPA/NED, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner POR/DEN, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser SPA/NED, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser GER/ITA, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser FRA/CRO, Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
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