FA retains Tuchel for home Euro 2028 after World Cup exit

Thomas Tuchel will continue as England head coach and lead the team into Euro 2028, the Football Association has confirmed. The decision comes hours after a 2-1 defeat to Argentina ended England's bid for a first World Cup final appearance since 1966. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the German retains the organisation's full backing despite late substitutions that saw England squander a 1-0 lead.

Tuchel’s position was effectively secured in February when he signed a two-year contract extension. He was originally appointed in January 2025 on an 18-month mandate to win the World Cup. While that specific objective fell short, the FA views reaching the semi-finals as a relative success that justifies keeping the management structure intact.

The focus now shifts to Euro 2028, a major cross-border event hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. For the four host nations, the tournament represents a significant public undertaking with substantial economic implications for local commerce, tourism and transport infrastructure. Maintaining managerial continuity is often viewed by commercial partners as essential to maximising these benefits and sustaining public interest.

"It is heartbreaking to be so close," Bullingham said following the match in Atlanta. "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."

Tuchel acknowledged the immediate disappointment but framed the run as an achievement for a major European nation. "We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros," Tuchel told reporters. "I'm looking forward to that even though right now it's difficult to look that far ahead."

England faces France in Saturday's bronze-medal match at 22:00 BST, with a victory marking the team's best men's World Cup performance since 1966. "Of course, it's a semi-final; a lot of big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so it is an achievement," Tuchel said. "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."