England has completed a historic World Cup qualifying campaign, securing their place at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada with a perfect record. Under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions won all eight of their Group K matches, remarkably without conceding a single goal. This unprecedented feat marks England as the first European nation to win a World Cup qualifying campaign of at least six matches with a 100% record and zero goals conceded.
The final match against Albania in Tirana on Sunday, November 16, 2025, saw England secure a 2-0 victory, sealing their unblemished record. Harry Kane, England's all-time leading scorer, continued his impressive form with a late double, bringing his international tally to 78 goals in 112 appearances. Kane's goals came in the 74th and 82nd minutes, breaking a stubborn deadlock and ensuring England finished their campaign in style. The first goal arrived from a corner, with Kane tapping in after Albania's goalkeeper failed to secure the ball. The second was a header from a Marcus Rashford cross.
England's dominant performance throughout the qualifying campaign has positioned them as one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup. Kane acknowledged the team's high standards and the expectations surrounding their chances at the tournament. "We've set the standard now, especially in the last few camps," Kane told ITV. "We're going to go into the tournament as one of the favorites. We have to accept that, it's been like that for the last few tournaments".
Tuchel, who was appointed last year with the specific aim of leading England to World Cup success, has instilled a sense of focus and determination within the squad. The English Football Association believes that Tuchel can end England's long wait for a major title, with their last World Cup victory dating back to 1966. "Nice match. I loved it. Today was difficult, emotional. We were fully in control, then suddenly lost some control and had to overcome difficult moments," Tuchel said. "So much good stuff and quality to see the game out. Everyone is happy, and they fully deserve it".
While England had already secured their place in the World Cup prior to the Albania match, the team remained focused on maintaining their perfect record. Tuchel demanded that the team stay focused, which they demonstrated by beating Serbia and Albania. The Three Lions are also ending 2025 with their highest win percentage in a calendar year since 1946, with nine victories from ten games under Tuchel. The only defeat was in a friendly match against Senegal in June.
England's journey to the 2026 World Cup has been record-breaking. Their unblemished qualifying campaign, coupled with their consistent performance in recent tournaments, where they reached the final of the last two European Championships, has solidified their status as a top contender. As the World Cup draw on December 5 approaches, England and their fans have every reason to be optimistic about their chances in North America.
Notably, England's defensive record throughout the qualifying campaign has been exceptional. Goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson played key roles in maintaining a clean sheet in all eight matches.
