England manager Thomas Tuchel insists his side are yet to hit their peak at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the quarter-final against Norway on the horizon. Speaking ahead of the tie, Tuchel told BBC Sport's Football Daily podcast that England still have another gear to find — and that the team's performances during the tournament have not yet matched the level they showed in qualifying.

Captain Harry Kane also spoke to host John Murray, reflecting on the confidence surge that followed England's victory over Mexico. Kane argued that the squad's collective experience of navigating deep tournament runs could prove decisive in reaching the semi-finals.

Kane v Haaland

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson joined the podcast to offer his assessment of England's prospects. Robinson backed England as the stronger all-round team, pointing to the depth of competitive experience within the squad as a crucial advantage at the knockout stage.

Robinson and Murray also compared Kane with Norway's Erling Haaland — two of the most prolific strikers in world football — and examined what sets each of them apart in high-pressure knockout matches.

Experience as the edge

Tuchel addressed how a manager can make a meaningful impact at this stage of a competition, suggesting that man-management and tactical refinement become more important as the stakes rise. He remained confident that England have more to give heading into the last eight.

Robinson described Kane as a superhero character — a leader capable of producing defining moments precisely when his team needs them most. Kane himself acknowledged the weight of experience he and several teammates carry, having been in similar high-pressure situations at previous major tournaments.

England face Norway in what promises to be one of the most compelling quarter-finals of the competition, with a place in the semi-finals the prize for the winner.