Anthony Barry, England's assistant coach, has articulated a clear vision for the national team's World Cup aspirations: dreams must be supported by meticulous planning. Barry insists that while winning the World Cup is the ultimate dream, it will only be achieved through a methodical process designed to give England the best possible chance.
From Accrington Stanley to the World Stage
A decade ago, Barry's career looked vastly different. He was playing for Accrington Stanley in League Two, simultaneously beginning his coaching journey with a voluntary role for the club's Under-16s. "It was in the evenings, third of a pitch, asked to do 11 v 11 … flat balls, not enough bibs," Barry recalls fondly. "I was hooked. I'd found what I was destined to do."
His ascent since has been remarkable. From establishing his reputation at Wigan, Barry's career progressed to coaching roles at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, alongside international positions with the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, and Portugal. He has worked with footballing luminaries including Thiago Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Cristiano Ronaldo. His current full-time role with England represents what he describes as the "pinnacle" of his career.
Building a Process-Obsessed England
Barry's philosophy, heavily influenced by his close working relationship with manager Thomas Tuchel, is built on obsession with detail and a relentless work ethic. "Everything starts with a dream," Barry says. "But I'm a believer that obsession can move mountains, as well. We dream about winning the World Cup. But dreams won't get it done."
The coaching duo is implementing a comprehensive strategy for England, centred on extensive player profiling. The team employs 360-degree profiling of all players, covering psychological, technical, tactical, and physical attributes. This goes beyond individual assessment to understand how players interact with each other on and off the pitch.
Barry is particularly dismissive of the term "international break," viewing these periods as crucial opportunities for development rather than a pause. "We had to build something here that the players want to be part of and, secondly, they feel so stretched when they come that it's a breather when they go back to the club," he explains.
A Heat-Proof Game Model for World Cup Success
With the 2026 World Cup being hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, Barry is focused on creating a "heat-proof game model" that can succeed in challenging environmental conditions. This involves strategic planning around player selection, in-game rotations, and substitutions.
He believes the tournament will be decided by moments rather than sustained footballing excellence. "The team that wins the World Cup will be one of moments and, to say it again, it will be a team – because you're going to have to suffer," Barry states. He emphasises a "Bring it on" mentality towards every potential obstacle, from extreme heat to travel disruptions.
Central to Barry and Tuchel's approach is creating a cohesive unit rather than simply fielding the most talented individuals. "If you build a band and you put 11 lead singers on the stage and throw them one mic, will they produce top music?" Barry analogises. "I'm pretty sure it won't happen. You need drummers, guitars, backing singers. What we try to build here is a team because a team wins titles."
The psychological element is paramount. England uses both subjective assessment and data-driven metrics to evaluate player body language and in-game interactions. The ultimate goal is to make the England jersey feel "like a cape and not body armour," allowing players to perform with freedom and confidence.
With England already qualified for the World Cup after six consecutive wins with clean sheets, Barry and Tuchel are using the remaining qualifiers against Serbia and Albania to further solidify the team's identity and tactical framework, building momentum towards their ultimate objective.
