England have become the first European nation to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup after a comfortable evening in Riga on Tuesday as they put five unanswered goals past Latvia.
The guessing game of who will be in Thomas Tuchel's final squad can now begin in earnest after another impressive international window for the Three Lions was achieved without the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden involved.
Captain Harry Kane added another two goals to his England tally on a night when Jordan Pickford win his 80th cap and the returning John Stones moved onto 85.
Tuchel was in buoyant mood after the match, his first objective ticked off with games to spare, allowing himself a smile at being the subject of England fans' chants after comments last week about the lack of atmosphere for the friendly with Wales at Wembley.
"I found it quite creative. It made me smile and this is how it has to be. It's British humour and I surely can take it. No harm done."
28 of the 48 World Cup places have now been filled after England joined the likes of Cape Verde, South Africa, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in qualifying this week.
Perennial dangers Spain and Croatia are set to confirm their places in the November window and, although the full line-up will not be completed until March, the draw for the finals itself will be made in early December.
