Two months on from England's gut-wrenching 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina in the United States, Thomas Tuchel is preparing to shift the national conversation forward as he names his squad for the opening quartet of Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia.
The defeat, in which England surrendered a 1-0 lead with just five minutes remaining, has left a lasting mark on both the manager and sections of the England fanbase. Tuchel himself has acknowledged the intensity of the backlash, telling a colleague at a Premier League match this season, "People are killing me."
Yet the criticism sits awkwardly alongside what was, by most measures, a landmark campaign. England reached only their fourth World Cup semi-final in history, showcasing resilience throughout the tournament. A dramatic last-16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, an extra-time win over Norway in the quarter-finals, and an opening thriller against Croatia all contributed to a run that culminated in a third-place playoff triumph over France — England's best World Cup finish since their 1966 triumph.
Despite the achievement, a vocal contingent of supporters remains fixated on the manner of the semi-final collapse. Tuchel's decision to bring on defender Ezri Konsa for winger Anthony Gordon and shift to a five-man defense as England wilted in the second half has drawn particular scrutiny. The switch, intended as a calculated, percentage-based move to shore up a tiring side, ultimately failed to stem Argentina's momentum, leaving England to absorb pressure without finding an attacking foothold.
The Football Association, however, has publicly backed its manager, viewing calls for his departure as excessive. Officials have pointed to Tuchel's tactical adjustments earlier in the tournament — most notably his role in inspiring a comeback against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where England trailed 1-0 with 15 minutes left before Harry Kane's brace secured passage to the next round. The FA has also praised the squad unity Tuchel fostered, describing the camaraderie among players as genuine rather than manufactured for public consumption.
Context matters too: England entered the tournament as fourth seeds, and the demanding conditions — including matches played at altitude and in extreme heat, such as the 120-minute battle with Norway in 40-degree Miami heat — took a physical toll that lingered into the semi-final. Playing much of the Mexico match with ten men added further strain heading into the latter stages of the competition.
Now, attention turns to the road toward Euro 2028, a tournament England will co-host. The upcoming Nations League campaign in Group A promises sterner tests than England faced in their previous group, which included more comfortable fixtures against Ireland, Finland and Greece. The opening match against Spain at Wembley — England's first meeting with the Spanish since losing the Euro 2024 final — headlines a schedule designed to better prepare the squad for the challenges ahead.
Tuchel faces selection dilemmas heading into the announcement, with injuries likely ruling out John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence and Jordan Henderson. Defensive hopefuls including Tino Livramento, Levi Colwill, Jarrad Branthwaite and Lewis Hall could push for recalls, while question marks remain over Kobbie Mainoo's midfield place following a disappointing World Cup. Attacking options such as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Josh King, Rio Ngumoha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Liam Delap are all in contention for inclusion.
As Tuchel unveils his squad, his demeanor and messaging will be watched closely. Having acknowledged that overly cautious tactics did not serve England well in their biggest moment, the manager now faces the task of balancing ambition with pragmatism as he attempts to reset the narrative and build toward the next major tournament.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.