FA to canvass England players in World Cup review — SkimNews
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- FA has begun its standard post-tournament review of England's World Cup campaign, canvassing players' opinions as part of the process.
- Thomas Tuchel and his backroom team were at St George's Park last week unpacking their performance in North America, with a wider report to be delivered later.
- BBC Sport revealed that at least three senior players privately expressed misgivings about Tuchel's substitutions and tactical approach in the closing stages of the 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, after taking a 1-0 lead through Anthony Gordon.
- The review will also examine the impact of England's permanent Kansas City base, to which the squad returned after every game during the tournament.
- The FA views the tournament as a success after England beat France in the bronze medal match — their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966 — and has backed Tuchel ahead of Euro 2028 qualifying.
- England's first post-World Cup fixture is a Nations League match against Spain on 26 September, followed by games against the Czech Republic and Croatia in the next international window.
Why it matters: The FA frames the review as routine, but BBC Sport's reporting of private misgivings from at least three senior players about Tuchel's semi-final game management creates internal friction the governing body must navigate. England beat France for bronze — their best finish since 1966 — yet the tactical questions raised after the Argentina defeat carry into the Nations League opener against Spain on 26 September, Tuchel's first chance to reset the squad's mood.
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