Jordan Pickford stresses importance of strong England defence

By the Editorial Team · Monday, June 29, 2026

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has called for a strong defensive effort as the team prepares for their round of 32 World Cup match against DR Congo, noting the challenges posed by opponents and the importance of clean sheets. He expressed confidence in the squad’s experience and his own penalty shootout skills, highlighting these factors as crucial for England’s hopes of ending a 60-year wait for a major international title.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has emphasized the need for a strong defensive performance as the team advances in the World Cup, aiming to end a six-decade-long wait for a major international title. Despite achieving back-to-back clean sheets during the group stage, Pickford highlighted concerns over the 13 shots Panama was able to take during their match at MetLife Stadium, suggesting that tougher opponents could expose defensive vulnerabilities.

Speaking ahead of England’s round of 32 encounter against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, Pickford stressed the importance of maintaining defensive solidity as the tournament progresses. “Clean sheets in tournament football are crucial,” he said. “It’s fine margins and we’ve got a lot going forward. So if we keep it tight at the back with clean sheets, then it’ll give us the best chance.”

Pickford acknowledged the increasing intensity of the competition as the knockout rounds begin. He praised the team’s blend of experienced players, including those who have won Champions League titles and those with youth international tournament exposure, suggesting that this mix provides resilience under pressure. “Everyone knows the pressure of it and I think that is where you will see us thrive," he added.

Reflecting on England’s previous experiences in major tournaments, Pickford cited their extra-time matches against Slovakia and Switzerland at the European Championship held in Germany two years ago. Nonetheless, he believes the current team’s approach, which has delivered three group-stage wins, remains appropriate. “It’s not too different. We’ve got our goal. You take it step by step, you work on the training pitch, you keep that enjoyment and keep that fun environment,” Pickford said. He emphasized the balance the squad maintains between focus during training and relaxation off the pitch, a dynamic he credits for fostering team cohesion since joining in 2018.

With the knockout stage introducing the possibility of penalty shootouts, Pickford reiterated his confidence in his ability in such high-pressure situations. The Everton goalkeeper recalled his success in the 2019 Nations League third-place playoff, where he both scored a penalty and saved the decisive spot-kick against Switzerland. “I’ve been taking a few! It’s tournament football and we prepare ourselves, we push ourselves 110 percent,” he said. “Every day, we’ll make sure everything’s right and we’ll be ready come match day.”

Although Pickford acknowledged the exceptional penalty-taking skills of his teammates, which place him lower in the shooting order, he underlined his primary role as a shot-stopper. “It’s my job to make the saves and in tournaments, time and time before, I’ve come up with a save in a shoot-out for England and I’ll hopefully continue that,” he said, expressing optimism about the team’s prospects moving forward.

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