The Lionel Messi effect?! England to ask for help from David Beckham and Inter Miami after qualifying for World Cup 2026

Goals from Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and a Maksims Tonisevs own goal saw England book their place Stateside next summer as they seek to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966. The Three Lions have been unstoppable in qualifying, winning all six matches, scoring 18 times and conceding none.

While Thomas Tuchel has come in for some criticism, notably in the way he attacked fans for their 'silent' support against Wales at Wembley last week, England's 100% record means the national team are one of the favourites to secure glory next summer.

England are still to face Serbia and Albania next month to round off qualifying, yet Tuchel was delighted to see his side qualify for the World Cup with ease.

After the win over Latvia on Tuesday night, Tuchel said: "Such a good mood in the dressing room. It feels very different because it is our dream to go to America and now we made it with another good performance and top result. Very happy.

"We are dominant in games, we are hungry. We have a lot of ball wins in the opponent’s half. It is good. We are on our way.

"It is a club feel because we play very aggressive with a high press. It is a very physical game. Everyone needs to buy into the idea because otherwise you cannot press so high.

"The guys train on a high level and the group is a very good group and it is a pleasure to coach them. Step by step we are getting there."

And while England are yet to find out their opponents for the World Cup, with the draw taking place in December, Sky Sports report that the FA are in discussions with Beckham about using the Inter Miami training facilities as a warm-weather base in the build up to the tournament.

"FA in discussion with David Beckham and his reps about England possibly using his Inter Miami training centre as warm-weather base in the build up to the World Cup," Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett posted on his X account on Thursday.

"With qualification now guaranteed, FA will ramp up their prep, tho no final decisions til the draw on Dec 5."

England are one of 28 teams to have secured their spot at the World Cup next summer, and are the first European nation to do so. USA, Mexico and Canada all qualified as co-hosts, while South American giants Argentina and Brazil will also be at the 2026 event.

African nations Morocco, Egypt and Senegal are among those to have also qualified. Those to have booked their spot at the World Cup will hope to avoid a potential group of death situation with Italy, who are likely to need a playoff to book their trip across the pond.

Inter Miami boast one of the best training facilities in MLS, and it's helped them to reach third in the Eastern Conference. The Florida Blue Training Center was opened in 2023 and the state of the art facility, which cost a whopping £48m to construct, boasts six natural grass pitches, a pool, hot tubs and a top-of-the-range gym.

Javier Mascherano's side sit four points behind the Philadelphia Union at the top of the Eastern table as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and co. look to win the MLS Cup in Sergio Busquets' final season before retirement.

Messi is currently the top scorer in MLS with 26 league goals and ranks second for assists, with 15. However, the legendary forward is yet to confirm whether he will be at the World Cup next year as Argentina aim to become just the third nation to defend their crown.

"I'm excited and motivated to play it. Like I always say, I go day by day, going by how I feel," Messi said via ESPN last month.

"I'm trying to feel good and, above all, being honest with myself. When I feel good, I enjoy it, but when I don't, honestly, I don't have a good time, so I prefer not to be there if I don't feel good.

"So we'll see. I haven't made a decision about the World Cup. I'll finish the season, then I'll have preseason, and there will be six months left.

"So, we'll see how I feel. Hopefully, I'll have a good preseason in 2026 and finish this MLS season well, and then I'll decide."