Tuchel's intensive World Cup inquest as FA prepare major report into England failings

The FA have carried out an inquest with England manager Thomas Tuchel to assess exactly what went wrong in the Three Lions' agonising World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina. On paper, the summer competition in the USA, Mexico and Canada was the country's second-best showing in the competition.

The 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off meant Tuchel, technically, led England to their greatest campaign since the 1966 triumph. However, it felt anything but jubilant, due to the Three Lions allowing a 1-0 lead to slip through their hands before losing to two quick-fire goals against the Argentinians.

The manor of the defeat is set to be investigated as England fell back into a worryingly deep defensive block straight after Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions into the lead.

Nearly two months after Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez's late goals broke the country's heart, the FA spoke with Tuchel and his staff to discuss what went wrong - and right - in the tournament.

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The German will attend the FA's performance advisory group meeting, which will be made up of England women manager Sarina Wiegman, rugby league great Sir Kevin Sinfield and owner of cricket heavyweights Rajasthan Royals, Manoj Badale.

According to the Telegraph, the group is designed to encourage discussion rather than put Tuchel on trial.

In September, England face Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia in the Nations League. However, the feelings of disappointment from that night in Atalanta are likely to linger, particularly after England appeared to be in the ascendency.

Tuchel's decision making was widely slated, particularly after he took off goal-scorer Gordon for central defender Ezri Konsa, before bringing on Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly for Reece James and Declan Rice respectively.

The England boss and his staff assistant Anthony Barry, fitness specialist Nico Mayer, goalkeeper coach Henrique Hilario and analyst James Melbourne, spent three days assessing the tournament as a whole, alongside FA technical director John McDermott. Before the tournament, Tuchel suggested England were more scared of losing than excited about winning under predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate.

In their opening match, England let two first-half leads slip against Croatia by half-time, but sprinted out of the traps in the second half and secured a 4-2 win, playing the kind of attractive, attacking football Tuchel promised. However, this attacking ferocity did not rear its head again.

England struggled against DR Congo and Norway in the round of 32 and quarter-final respectively, but came from behind to win both matches.

The Three Lions were also defensive against Mexico in the round of 16, albeit they had little choice having gone down to ten men while leading 2-1. After Tuchel's substitutions helped England win 3-2 in Mexico City, the German was highly praised.n

As well as decisions on the pitch, major calls away from it will also be analysed. No country travelled more miles than the 15,958 miles England, who stationed themselves in Kansas City, racked up.

Other aspects like the amount of sleep players had - data which will be extracted from the Whoop wristbands they wore throughout training and downtime - will also be analysed. In addition, the statistics from England's matches will also be investigated, as will any insights from key moments like set pieces.

FA head of performance Mark Jarvis will be entrusted with producing the review, which will be examined by chief football officer and former Manchester United director of football Dan Ashworth, as well as FA chief executive Mark Bullingham. Tuchel is contracted with the national team until the end of Euro 2028, which will be a home competition.

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