England's best World Cup for 60 years - but how should it be judged?
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- England beat France 6-4 in the World Cup bronze final to finish third — their best result since winning the 1966 tournament, having started the competition ranked fourth in the world.
- Thomas Tuchel's substitutions during the semi-final loss to Argentina were deemed too defensive by some squad members, with assistant Anthony Barry telling the team at half-time of the France match that the players had "broken hearts."
- The Football Association reaffirmed its backing of Tuchel immediately after the Argentina defeat, intending him to lead England into Euro 2028, though fans booed the German in Miami before the France kick-off.
- Jude Bellingham ended the tournament with seven goals — one ahead of Harry Kane's six — with both credited with dragging England past DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway.
- Djed Spence earned an honourable mention for a goal-saving tackle on Giuliano Simeone during the Argentina match, while Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka each finished with three assists.
- Tuchel must reshape England before Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain — by which point Kane will be 36 — potentially calling on Liverpool's 17-year-old Rio Ngumoah and Arsenal's 16-year-old Max Dowman.
Why it matters: Tuchel retains FA backing through Euro 2028 despite fan boos in Miami and player discontent over his semi-final tactics. With Kane set to be 36 by the 2030 World Cup, England must integrate youth like 17-year-old Rio Ngumoah and 16-year-old Max Dowman to finally break a 64-year trophy drought.
