Thomas Tuchel has said England are yet to hit their peak at this World Cup, telling BBC Radio 5 Live that his side still have "another gear" to find before their quarter-final against Norway — a claim that will either reassure or unsettle, depending on how you read it.

The England manager spoke alongside captain Harry Kane ahead of what is one of the biggest knockout ties England have faced in recent memory. Tuchel was direct on one point: the level England showed during qualifying has not yet been matched in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Whether that is a concern or simply a ceiling not yet reached is the question the Norway game may answer.

Experience as the deciding factor

Kane, speaking separately to BBC Sport's John Murray, pointed to squad experience as potentially the decisive factor at this stage of the tournament. England's squad contains players who have been through deep World Cup and European Championship runs before, and Kane suggested that familiarity with the pressure of knockout football could prove more valuable than any tactical adjustment.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, also part of the BBC radio preview, echoed that view. He assessed England's players as having a competitive edge at this stage of a tournament — a contrast, implicitly, with a Norway side whose tournament pedigree at this level remains considerably thinner.

Kane v Haaland: the number that matters most

The individual matchup generating most discussion is predictable enough: Kane versus Erling Haaland. Robinson used the phrase "superhero character" when describing the England captain, a slightly breathless label but one rooted in Kane's consistent output at the highest level. Both players carry enormous goal threat, but Robinson's assessment was that England may hold the stronger hand across the squad as a whole — not just in the striking position.

Kane himself described the mood in the camp as high following the win over Mexico, which moved England into the last eight. That result gave the squad confidence, though Tuchel's admission that England have not yet matched their qualifying form suggests the manager is still searching for the complete performance rather than settling for progress through managed expectations.

What Tuchel's role looks like from here

One of the more interesting threads from Tuchel's interview was his reflection on how a manager can genuinely influence a tournament at the knockout stage. At this point, squad preparation is largely done; the marginal gains come from tactical detail and game-day decision-making. Tuchel seemed to acknowledge that reality, framing his own contribution as one of fine-tuning rather than wholesale change.

England go into the Norway quarter-final as a side that has shown enough to remain in the competition without yet producing the kind of display that would mark them as tournament favourites. The market has reflected that ambivalence throughout. A win here, and the argument that Tuchel's side have been deliberately conservative — saving something — becomes a good deal more credible.

Norway, for their part, bring Haaland and a side that has qualified through genuine merit. This is not a straightforward tie. But England's experience in knockout football, Kane's record at major tournaments, and Tuchel's insistence that more is to come all point in one direction. The quarter-final will confirm whether that confidence is warranted.

Frequently asked

When is England vs Norway at the 2026 World Cup?
The England v Norway quarter-final is part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage. The exact kick-off time and venue had not been confirmed in the source material available, so check the official FIFA or BBC Sport schedule for the confirmed time in UK hours.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about England's form at the 2026 World Cup?
Tuchel said England still have 'another gear' to find and acknowledged they have not yet reached the level they showed during qualifying. He suggested there is more to come from the squad as the tournament progresses.
How does Harry Kane compare to Erling Haaland at the 2026 World Cup?
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, described Kane as a 'superhero character' and argued England may have the stronger all-round team, even if the Kane v Haaland individual battle is expected to be the standout matchup of the quarter-final.