'Not at all' - Jordan Pickford not feeling World Cup pressure despite England 'hurt' in Japan loss
Ciaran McCarthy
Jordan Pickford is not worried about England's chances in the 2026 World Cup, despite the fact they won neither of their matches in the last international break.
England qualified for the 2026 World Cup without a hitch, but Thomas Tuchel's side seemingly have work to do from the evidence of the last couple of games.
They drew to Uruguay at the weekend, with the South American nation scoring a last-gasp penalty, before the Three Lions were beaten 1-0 by Japan on Tuesday night - the first time in history that England have lost to an Asian nation.
While England looked devoid of much attacking quality for large periods of the Japan game, and were dealt a loss, mainstay Pickford is not worried about the nation's chances in the World Cup.
"No, not at all, for me" he said.
"This happens. It’s happened before with World Cups and the Euros.
"The media will ramp it up and put pressure but we’ve always excelled in tournaments and it always matters.
"We want to win every game for England, me especially. I hate losing. I think it’s the first goal I’ve conceded in so long for England so that hurts.
"But what matters is what happens in the World Cup and that’s our dream. That’s what we’ve got to work to achieve, to become the best team in the world."
Pickford's stellar run comes to an end
Pickford had not conceded in an England shirt since a 2-1 loss to Greece in October 2024. His run without being beaten for the Three Lions spanned 10 games.
The stopper also has a good record in major tournaments, though, so his confidence is not misplaced.
En route to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, Pickford shipped just two goals in the opener against Iran, before keeping clean sheets in three consecutive games - while the Three Lions scored six goals.
The keeper was then beaten twice as France saw off England 2-1 in the quarters.
In the next major tournament, EURO 2024, Pickford conceded just once in the groups, and then one goal in each the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, before Spain put two past him to win the final 2-1.
With a confident goalkeeper between the sticks, after more than 80 appearances for his country, England are in good stead.
