Jordan Pickford has reflected on England's quarter-final elimination at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where France ended the Three Lions' run in Qatar, and called on his side to extract lessons from that painful defeat.

The England goalkeeper believes that the margins at major tournaments are razor-thin, and that the difference between winning and losing often comes down to how a squad responds to its lowest moments. "We want to be the best, so we have to turn negative moments into improvements," Pickford said. "France were reigning champions in 2022 and knew how to succeed."

France's experience as defending champions gave them a mental edge in that knockout tie — a quality Pickford sees as something England must now develop within their own group ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The Everton shot-stopper's message is clear: elite international football demands continuous self-examination. A single lapse in concentration, one missed chance, or a moment of hesitation can separate a quarter-final exit from a run to the final. For Pickford, acknowledging those imperfections is not a sign of weakness but the foundation of progress.

England will be looking to go further than the last eight when the World Cup returns in 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Three Lions have reached the final of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 in recent years, demonstrating their ability to build deep runs in major competitions — yet the ultimate prize remains elusive.

Pickford's determination to transform setbacks into stepping stones reflects a broader hunger inside the England camp. If the squad can channel that mindset consistently, their 2026 campaign may well extend well beyond the quarter-final stage.