England's World Cup campaign ends in semi-final loss as Tuchel's plans fall short
England were eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals, prompting criticism of Thomas Tuchel's tactics and squad choices despite a generally positive camp atmosphere.
England's World Cup run concluded with a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals, leaving the team to contest a third-place match against France in Miami. The Football Association had hired Thomas Tuchel in October 2024 with the explicit goal of delivering a first World Cup title since 1966, even planning celebratory tattoos if the squad succeeded.
Tuchel's contract included clauses that could have ended his tenure if England exited before the quarter-finals, but the semi-final loss kept him in place. Sources close to the camp said the training base in Kansas City was designed to foster a "brotherhood" ethos, emphasizing collective commitment over individual talent.
"We wanted players who would buy into the group and travel well for a seven-week campaign," a senior FA official said.
The squad selection prioritized unity, leaving out several high-profile players such as Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire. Critics noted a lack of technical game-changers and depth at right-back, with backup midfielders limited to Jordan Henderson and untested youngster Kobbie Mainoo.
Despite a generally upbeat atmosphere at the Kansas City camp, some fringe players grew frustrated by limited playing time, particularly Mainoo, who saw few minutes despite being on the bench.
Harry Kane entered the tournament as England's leading scorer, contributing six goals, while midfielder Jude Bellingham emerged as a key performer, scoring twice against DR Congo and twice against Norway. However, the team struggled to maintain the attacking intensity required in the semi-final, and Tuchel's tactical shift to a defensive block after taking the lead was widely criticised.
After the loss, centre-back Marc Guehi said the team "should have carried on pushing," and Kane admitted that merely defending was insufficient.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham warned that success cannot be measured solely by the tournament stage, noting that previous campaigns ending earlier were still considered successful. The FA will conduct a post-tournament review, while Tuchel's future appears secure for now, with a new contract running through Euro 2028.