England manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that the Three Lions will continue using the penalty shootout system developed during Gareth Southgate's tenure, insisting the well-established approach remains an important part of the team's preparations for the World Cup knockout stage.
With England set to face DR Congo in Atlanta in the Round of 32, Tuchel knows there is every chance the contest could be decided from the penalty spot. Rather than introducing a completely new method, the German coach believes the existing blueprint has already proven its value and deserves to remain in place.
Tuchel Keeps Faith in Southgate's Winning Formula
Speaking ahead of the knockout encounter, Tuchel explained that England's penalty preparation has become an institutional process within the Football Association rather than something tied to a single manager.
He stressed that the national team has continued to follow the framework introduced under Southgate, ensuring consistency regardless of who occupies the dugout.
"The FA has had this programme in place for several years, and we're following it," Tuchel said.
"We're prepared. There is a process, and every player understands that process."
The decision reflects the success England enjoyed under Southgate, whose detailed planning transformed the nation's reputation in penalty shootouts.
England's Penalty Record Was Completely Transformed
For decades, England's history in tournament shootouts was defined by heartbreak.
Before Southgate became manager in 2016, the Three Lions had managed to win only one of their first seven penalty shootouts at major international tournaments.
Recognising that penalties required preparation rather than luck, Southgate completely changed England's mindset.
During his reign, England emerged victorious in three of their four shootouts, a remarkable turnaround that reshaped the team's confidence in high-pressure moments.
Rather than treating penalties as a lottery, Southgate built a system based on preparation, routine and psychological readiness.
A Painful Lesson That Changed Tuchel Forever
Tuchel admitted his commitment to detailed planning stems partly from one of the biggest regrets of his managerial career.
While coaching Borussia Dortmund in the 2016 DFB-Pokal final against Bayern Munich, he failed to properly prepare for the possibility of penalties.
The final ended goalless before Bayern claimed a 4-3 victory in the shootout, leaving Tuchel scrambling to decide his penalty takers in the brief moments between extra time and the start of the shootout.
Looking back, the England boss described the experience as deeply painful.
He confessed he had let both himself and his players down by failing to prepare adequately, calling it a mistake that left a lasting scar on his coaching career.
According to Tuchel, that experience permanently changed his approach.
He vowed never to be caught unprepared for another penalty shootout.
Preparation Helps, But Pressure Can't Be Recreated
Although England now have a clear penalty plan in place, Tuchel accepts there are limits to what training can replicate.
He confirmed that he already knows the order in which his players would take penalties if required.
However, he admitted no practice session can fully reproduce the emotional intensity of a World Cup shootout.
To illustrate his point, Tuchel recalled comments from former France striker Thierry Henry, who once admitted he could barely remember the walk from the halfway line to the penalty spot during his first international shootout because of the overwhelming pressure.
For Tuchel, that highlights the difference between rehearsing technique and experiencing the moment itself.
What Made Southgate's Penalty Strategy So Effective?
Southgate's methods extended far beyond simply selecting five penalty takers.
England regularly practiced spot-kicks under conditions designed to mirror the pressure of tournament football, helping players rely on instinct and muscle memory when the stakes were highest.
Penalty takers were selected well before matches based on consistent training performances rather than last-minute decisions.
Southgate also publicly accepted responsibility for shootout outcomes, deliberately shielding his players from unnecessary criticism.
Another innovative feature of his approach involved assigning each penalty taker a designated teammate, or "buddy," who greeted them after their walk back from the penalty spot.
The idea was simple but effective, sharing both the emotional burden and the support after every kick.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford carried detailed scouting information on his water bottle, giving him valuable insight into opponents' preferred penalty directions.
Southgate also learned from England's painful defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
On that occasion, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho entered the match moments before penalties. Afterwards, Southgate concluded they had not been given enough time to settle into the rhythm of the game before taking their kicks.
From then on, he adjusted his strategy by introducing potential penalty takers earlier whenever possible.
Tuchel Reflects on His Own Self-Doubt
Despite guiding England safely into the knockout rounds, Tuchel admitted that even experienced coaches are not immune to moments of uncertainty.
He revealed he questioned himself following England's unconvincing 1-0 victory over New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match.
The German manager acknowledged that setbacks and doubts are part of elite football, just as players carry emotional scars from previous disappointments.
He believes accepting those difficult moments is essential for anyone hoping to win football's biggest prizes.
According to Tuchel, there is no shortcut to success at major tournaments.
England Focused on Results Over Style
England reached the knockout phase after finishing top of Group L.
Victories over Croatia and Panama, alongside a goalless draw against Ghana, secured qualification without significant drama.
While supporters may hope for increasingly impressive performances, Tuchel insists this stage of the tournament is about efficiency rather than entertainment.
He believes knockout football demands resilience, discipline and players capable of delivering decisive moments when opportunities arise.
The England boss expects stronger opposition to naturally bring out higher levels from his squad as the competition progresses.
Eyes on the Next Challenge
As England prepare to face DR Congo, Tuchel is determined to ensure his players are ready for every possible scenario, including another nerve-racking penalty shootout.
By maintaining Gareth Southgate's carefully developed system while adding his own experience and leadership, Tuchel hopes England can continue overcoming one of the biggest psychological hurdles in tournament football.
Whether the match is settled in 90 minutes or from 12 yards, the Three Lions believe meticulous preparation could once again make the difference between elimination and another step toward World Cup glory.
