The Football Association has given its full backing to England manager Thomas Tuchel despite criticism of his Nations League squad selection.
Tuchel's squad announcement on Friday comes as England prepare for a challenging Nations League group featuring matches against Spain, Czechia, and Croatia. The manager faces the task without several key players, with John Stones, Dan Burn, Djed Spence, and Jordan Henderson all likely to miss out through injury.
FA dismisses resignation talk
The governing body considers the idea that Tuchel should resign after reaching a World Cup semi-final as absurd. An FA source stated they have "full square behind" the manager and praised his in-game adjustments and the spirit he fostered within the squad during the tournament. They acknowledged the unique pressures of the England job, describing it as impossible due to sky-high expectations that follow any defeat.
Tuchel himself has felt the intensity of the scrutiny. "People are killing me," the manager said recently. His stated mission was to put a second star on the England shirt, a goal he fell short of in the United States.
World Cup aftermath
England's run to the last four was physically demanding. The team was spent after playing at altitude against Mexico and then for 120 minutes in 40-degree heat against Norway in the quarter-finals. That fatigue showed in the second half against Argentina, where Tuchel admitted he "could not get anything" out of his players. In that match, he introduced defender Ezri Konsa for winger Anthony Gordon, switching to a five-man defence in an attempt to shore things up.
Despite the semi-final exit, England's overall World Cup form has been strong. They currently sit first in their World Cup qualifying group with seven points from three games. Jude Bellingham leads the scoring charts this season with seven goals in eight appearances.
Looking ahead to Euro 2028
The FA's long-term vision includes hosting Euro 2028 alongside Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, a project they pushed hard for. Tuchel's role in building towards that home tournament is seen as vital. His immediate focus, however, is on the Nations League and handling a tricky group that begins with a home match against Spain on 26 September. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
The manager's next squad will be closely watched as he blends experienced campaigners with new faces. With the team top of their World Cup qualifying group and a point clear of Croatia, the foundation for the next cycle is already being laid. England's next competitive match is against Spain at Wembley in seven days.
This story first appeared at The Guardian Football
