World Cup 2026: England coach Thomas Tuchel delivers message to players
Coach Thomas Tuchel made an emotional speech calling for England to end the World Cup after their painful defeat against Argentina.
Following Wednesday’s semifinal loss, the players returned to their base in Kansas City for two final practice sessions before Saturday’s bronze medal game against France.
Sources told BBC Sport that Tuchel, in a speech to his team, encouraged his players to put their disappointments behind them and finish the tournament on a high.
If England beat France in Miami to secure third place, it would be the men’s best World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966.
Tuchel is also understood to have stressed how proud he is of the Three Lions’ efforts in North America as they reached only the fourth World Cup semi-final in their history.
The relationship between the 52-year-old German and his players has become an emerging narrative following Argentina’s 2-1 victory in the last four games, courtesy of two late goals.
BBC Sport reported on Thursday how some key players were disappointed that the team had been instructed to finish the game by taking the lead through Anthony Gordon.
Tuchel reverted to a back five and made a number of defensively focused substitutions in the closing stages, while Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic comeback by assisting Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez’s 92nd-minute winner.
But England’s head coach has since appeared to refute the idea that the defensive retreat was a result of instructions he gave to his team.
He told British newspapers that it was never planned to go deeper and that “controlling the game and the ball is perhaps not in our DNA”.
Tuchel will be asked about his team’s tactical approach against Argentina at the press conference before the France match, which will be played at 00.30 CET on Saturday.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss signed a two-year contract extension in February after being appointed in January 2025 on an 18-month mandate to win the 2026 World Cup.
It is understood that Tuchel maintains the support of the Football Association and is expected to lead the team to the 2028 European Championship, which will be hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
