England’s World Cup Campaign Concludes in Semi-Finals

By Oliver Harrington — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

England’s World Cup Campaign Concludes in Semi-Finals

England captain Harry Kane has expressed his disappointment following the team’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Kane stated that the team is “missing that final piece of the jigsaw” and needs to “find a way to get better.” The Three Lions initially took the lead in Atlanta, but Argentina scored two late goals to secure their victory.

The match saw Anthony Gordon put England ahead after 55 minutes. However, the team subsequently adopted a more defensive posture, inviting pressure from their opponents. Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez ultimately scored for Argentina, leading to a 2-1 win. This outcome has drawn criticism towards both the team and manager Thomas Tuchel, particularly regarding the defensive approach after taking the lead.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney commented that Tuchel’s side “crumbled” and became “too passive,” missing an opportunity to reach their first World Cup final since 1966. Tuchel’s defensive substitutions have also been scrutinised. Despite this, Tuchel maintained that dropping deeper was not the intended strategy, suggesting it might not be in the team’s “DNA to control the game and ball.”

Tactical Decisions and Squad Selection Under Scrutiny

The Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel in October 2024 with the explicit aim of winning the 2026 World Cup. While there were clauses in his contract that could have led to his departure if England exited before the quarter-finals, Tuchel’s position appears secure despite the semi-final defeat. The FA’s initial target for the managerial role was Pep Guardiola, who verbally agreed before renewing his contract with Manchester City, leading to Tuchel’s appointment.

Tuchel’s squad selection for the tournament prioritised commitment and a specific team ethic, aiming to build a “brotherhood” within the squad. This approach meant omitting certain players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire. The manager also opted for a squad that was short on technical game-changers and right-backs, with limited central midfield options beyond Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, including Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo.

Some players reportedly expressed confusion over Tuchel’s tactical decisions during the semi-final, particularly his defensive shift. There was surprise that pacey attackers such as Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, or Marcus Rashford were not utilised to counter-attack Argentina. Tuchel’s strategy was to overwhelm opponents with physicality and relentless running, a style that was evident in their opening 4-2 win against Croatia.

Looking Ahead to Euro 2028

This is not the first instance where England has faced accusations of becoming overly defensive in crucial matches. Similar situations occurred under former manager Gareth Southgate, including the Euro 2021 final against Italy and the Euro 2024 final against Spain. Since 1998, Opta stats indicate that England has been eliminated every time they have encountered a top-10 ranked nation in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Following the defeat, Jude Bellingham, who, like Kane, scored goals during the tournament, called for “unity” among the team and fans. He shared a four-page poem titled ‘The Lions Way’ by the team’s driver, Michael Chandler, which he felt captured the sentiment. Morgan Rogers, who assisted England’s opening goal against Argentina, and Anthony Gordon both expressed their devastation but affirmed their belief in the team’s future return.

The chief executive of the Football Association, Mark Bullingham, has backed England to learn from this defeat and “challenge for silverware” at the European Championships in 2028. England will be one of four host nations for the next Euros, alongside Wales, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland. Bullingham expects Tuchel and his coaching staff to prepare the team for qualification for their home Euros in 2028.

Source: bbc.co.uk