Thomas Tuchel concedes England are not World Cup favourites but can 'dare to dream'

The majority of bookmakers list England as one of the top title contenders, yet Tuchel believes the 60‑year dry spell since the country's sole victory in 1966 works against them.

The German coach compared England's challenge at the tournament, which runs from 11 June to 19 July, to a player who has never won a title arriving at the Wimbledon tennis championships.

"We are not the top favourites. We cannot be, because we have not won it for such a long time," he told reporters in Florida on Tuesday, on the eve of England's final warm-up match against Costa Rica.

"There are proven winners in the tournament who have had more success in recent editions. So those are the favourites, and we are competing for the trophy.

"It is like if you go to Wimbledon and have never won it ... you are not the favourite.

But you can win it, of course, and we want to win it, but we know what it requires, and that includes a calm mindset and focus on our own steps."

Tuchel is leading a team at the World Cup for the first time, but he said his experience of Champions League campaigns in club football had taught him a great deal about how to approach tournament football.

"It is my belief and my conviction that once you reach the quarter-finals, you can go all the way," he added.

"I think it is important not to try to take on the whole tournament at once, and to focus on what we can influence. Right now, this is a preparation camp, and then we will take care of the group stage.

"Make sure you get through your group, and do not get distracted by overthinking. Once you are in a quarter-final, then you can go all the way and the belief will be there, but a lot of work has to be done.

"We are exactly where we want to be and we want to take the next step tomorrow."

England begin their campaign on 17 June in Dallas with a repeat of their 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia.

Tuchel said his assessment of England's chances did not reflect any doubts in his own mind, or in the camp, about the squad's potential.

"I have belief. We all have belief," he said. "We all have a dream, but it comes with responsibility, hard work, commitment and discipline, and sometimes it comes with disappointment and setbacks.

"All of this is included, but ... we dare to dream and it is important."