Thomas Tuchel blames England’s ‘DNA’ following World Cup semi-final defeat

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The Independent

16 July 2026

England

boss

Thomas Tuchel

says the DNA of English football needs changing if his side are to win major tournaments and insists he is “100 per cent” committed to staying in the job.

It was the same old story for

as their

World Cup

bid ended in semi-final heartbreak to

Argentina

They were on the cusp of a first final since 1966 when Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal put them ahead in Atlanta, but

they became passive and allowed the momentum of the game to turn

, falling to a predictable 2-1 loss after late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

open image in gallery

Thomas Tuchel accepts

have work to do to become tournament winners (PA Wire)

This was the fourth occasion they have done it in a high-stakes knockout match as they sat back after taking the lead in the 2018

semi-final against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final with Italy, while also failing to build on the equaliser against Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Tuchel, who replaced Sir Gareth Southgate with the explicit brief of getting them over the line in major tournaments, was complicit in England’s surrender, with some early defensive substitutions.

Asked whether it is possible to change the English mentality, he said: “If it happens then it has to be changed.

“But I’m not sure, I always try to think in football terms, in football matters. I haven’t seen the data yet but I think right after the goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession, chances and it drops dramatically.

“We got too passive within our structure. I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four.

“We encouraged everyone to step out, to be more active within the structure, but we just struggled. We couldn’t find any duels any more which was why we dropped deeper and deeper, which was never the plan but it happened.

“We needed to get back on the ball otherwise you cannot break the pressure and you cannot get the momentum back.

“I think ball possession plays a crucial role. It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish DNA or Argentinian or Brazilian DNA to take the ball, control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem.”

Tuchel (Getty)

Tuchel has come under heavy criticism for his role in England’s capitulation, where he replaced goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa midway through the second half.

The German, who signed a contract through to 2028 ahead of the tournament, received the backing of the Football Association and reiterated his desire to lead

into a home European Championships.

“Yes, 100 per cent. There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that,” he said.

“I’ve loved it. I loved every day. I said after the Norway game that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and within the games, I think we can impose ourselves more on the ball.

“I still think we can show how good football players we are. I think that is still in us, as I see it in training and in every camp.

“And here also at the

. I still feel there is an extra level that we need to conquer and need to step up to the next level to get the big prize.”

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