World Cup 2026: England coach Thomas Tuchel sends message to players

Coach Thomas Tuchel has urged England to finish the World Cup strong in an emotional speech to his team after their crushing defeat to Argentina.

Following Wednesday’s semifinal loss, the players returned to their home base in Kansas City for two final practices before Saturday’s bronze-medal match against France.

And sources told BBC Sport that Tuchel, in a speech to his team, encouraged the players to put their frustrations behind them and finish the tournament on a high note.

If England beat France in Miami and finish third, it will be the best men’s World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966.

As the Three Lions reached their fourth World Cup semi-final in their history, Tuchel emphasized how proud they were of their efforts in North America.

The relationship between the 52-year-old German and his players has become a new narrative in the last four as Argentina won 2-1 with two late goals.

BBC Sport reported on Thursday how several key players were He was disappointed that the team was ordered to finish the game. They took the lead through Anthony Gordon.

Tuchel switched to the back 5 and changed a number of defenders in the closing stages, while Lionel Messi assisted Enzo Fernandez’s goals in a stunning comeback.

However, the England head coach dismissed the suggestion that it was a defensive retreat due to the direction he had given his team.

He said it was never a plan to go deeper and “probably not in the DNA … to control the game and the ball.”

Tuchel is likely to be asked about his team’s tactical approach against Argentina at his pre-match news conference for Saturday’s game in France at 00:30 BST.

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss signed a 2-year contract extension in February 2025. In January 2025, they were appointed on an initial 18-month mission to win the 2026 World Cup.

Tuchel has retained the Football Association’s backing and will lead his team into the 2028 European Championship, which will be hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.