Guardiola hopes England can take the 'last step' at next year's World Cup

Pep Guardiola wants England to win the 2026 World Cup, and is hopeful they will take the "last step" under Thomas Tuchel.

England sealed their qualification to next year's tournament in North America with ease, and will discover their fate during Friday's draw.

Tuchel took the job at the start of this calendar year and has won all eight of his competitive matches without conceding a goal.

England will be seen as one of the favourites for the trophy and Guardiola, who has lived in the country since taking over at Manchester City in 2016, believes England are ready to make that next step after near-misses at Euro 2020 and 2024.

When asked who the favourites were for the World Cup, Guardiola said: "The same ones. Everybody knows. We will be in agreement about the candidates if we name the same four or five candidates. Everybody knows it.

"I would like England to be there.

"I don't want to pretend to be too nice but I have been here for many years and been part of the country. I would love Thomas [Tuchel] and the people to make the last step and do it."

The Opta supercomputer hands England an 11.8% likelihood of World Cup glory next summer, ranking their chances behind only France and European champions Spain.

Guardiola was linked to the job after Gareth Southgate left his post in the summer of 2024 following their second consecutive Euros final loss, but the role eventually went to Lee Carsley on an interim basis, prior to Tuchel taking over.