Thomas Tuchel to Lead England into Euro 2028 Despite World Cup Heartbreak
Thomas Tuchel will lead England into Euro 2028 despite the storm swirling around him after the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
The 52-year-old, appointed in November 2024 to succeed Gareth Southgate, retains the backing of the Football Association following Wednesday’s 2-1 loss in Atlanta – a night that promised a new chapter and instead reopened old scars.
FA stands firm after semi-final heartbreak
Anthony Gordon’s goal had England on the brink of a first men’s World Cup final since 1966. They were composed, compact, and seemingly in control.
Then came the retreat.
Tuchel’s defensive tweaks invited Argentina on, the initiative slipped, and the game turned. A late winner for the South Americans sent England spinning out at the semi-final stage once again, the manner of the collapse echoing the caution that haunted previous eras.
The German’s decision-making has been hammered ever since. Yet the FA is not blinking.
Tuchel’s original contract only ran to this World Cup, but he signed an extension in February that ties him to the job until 2028. The plan has not changed: he intends to lead England into a home European Championship.
“I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that even like now it is difficult to look that far ahead,” Tuchel said after the defeat, speaking through the rawness of the exit but making his position clear.
Back at base in Kansas City, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham publicly backed the head coach and his players.
“It is heartbreaking to be so close,” Bullingham said. “The players and Thomas gave it everything today and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament.
“I would like to thank them all – and also give my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful fans here in the USA and at home. We felt your support every step of the way and we are all so disappointed not to go further.”
A third-place play-off nobody wants
England’s World Cup is not quite over. The squad must head back to Miami, where they beat Norway in the quarter-final at the Hard Rock Stadium, to face France in a third-place play-off that will feel like punishment for both sides.
“A lot of big, big, big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so, yeah, it is an achievement,” Tuchel said of reaching the last four.
He knows that line will not soothe anyone. Not now.
“No one wants to hear that at the moment. Me neither, because we demand the most of ourselves. That’s just the nature of being competitive.
“The nature of being so competitive also puts the next game into perspective.
“Nobody of these (England) players, nobody of French players wants to play this match. They want to play in the final. We gave everything to be in the final.
“Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but it is what it is. We have for a day less and to recover, but we will do it professionally, of course.”
The dressing room in Georgia told its own story. Heads down, voices low, nothing any manager could say to cut through the pain.
“I didn’t say a lot (to the players afterwards). Nothing what you say in the dressing room can take away the pain or the disappointment, of course.
“We all know these moments, so I said let’s take it with respect, let’s digest it first. Accept that we gave everything. That is a big part in a defeat.
“Did we do everything to arrive in this semi-final? Did we give everything? 100 per cent we did, and I think the fans will realise that and do realise that.
“The second of all is to bounce back, to react. That’s what you have to do on highest level in sports. It’s what is demanded and what we will do.”
The World Cup dream has gone. The debate around Tuchel will not. But the FA has made its call: the man under fire is also the man trusted to walk England into a home Euros and prove that this was a painful step, not the ceiling.
