Tuchel defends himself against criticism after semifinal exit: England faces Deschamps' France in third-place playoff

Particularly unusual was the interference from US President Donald Trump, who appeared alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a FIFA event in New York and publicly commented on the English coach's selection decisions. Trump said: „Sie haben geführt und dann ihren besten Spieler in die Defensive gestellt" and added: „Ich denke, dass sie vielleicht einen Fehler gemacht haben, als sie ihn zu einem Defensivspieler gemacht haben." When a journalist followed up, Tuchel responded with a dry remark, asking whether he perhaps intended to call the US President as a witness.

Trump's unusual appearance at FIFA

Tuchel explicitly defended his tactical decisions, stating that he regretted none of his measures – better to regret the failure to react. „Wir haben im tiefen Block verteidigt. So macht man das," the coach said, also addressing the role of captain Harry Kane, whom Trump had accused of being assigned too defensive a role. Tuchel acknowledged that Kane had been pushed further forward during the course of the match and that England had subsequently found spaces. Overall, he had adjusted the defensive structure twice during the game.

The coach also offered to personally take responsibility for the defeat. „Aber wenn man jemandem unbedingt die Schuld geben möchte, dann übernehme ich das," Tuchel said. At the same time, he emphasized that the tournament had been his first World Cup as England's national team coach and that mentality cannot simply be summoned at will: „Mentalität schaltet man nicht einfach an, wenn man sie braucht. Es wird also der Moment sein, in dem wir zeigen können, wer wir sind."

The defeat leaves its mark, Tuchel openly admitted. „Es wird eine Narbe bleiben. Es ist nicht die erste und es wird nicht die letzte sein." The shock had also been immense immediately after the final whistle, the coach said: „Nach dem Schock im ersten Moment wurde es jeden Tag schmerzhafter." Tuchel announced his intention to fulfill his contract and continue working with the team: „Ich liebe die Arbeit mit diesem Team an jedem Tag" and „Es gibt noch so viel, was wir verbessern können. Ich bin mehr als glücklich, das zu verantworten."

Kane and the goalscorers: England in contention

Captain Harry Kane had already taken to platform X after the match to express his disappointment. „Keine Worte sind im Moment stark genug, um dieses Gefühl der Leere im Magen zu überwinden," wrote the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker, who has scored six goals in the tournament so far. That puts him level with Jude Bellingham in promising position in the goalscoring chart, still able to catch up with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, who lead the rankings with eight goals each.

From England's round-of-16 match against Mexico in Mexico City – played at high altitude and at times with a numerical disadvantage – as well as the quarterfinal against Norway in Florida's humid heat, the English players had already been put through significant physical strain. Tuchel acknowledged that his team was no longer at peak physical condition. He added that focusing on defensive play against a strong Argentine side had been tactically understandable. Tuchel also announced rotations for the third-place playoff: „Wir werden uns professionell auf das Spiel vorbereiten."

Deschamps' final match: Farewell after 14 years

On the opposing side, Didier Deschamps bids farewell after 14 years as French national team coach. The match in Miami is his last as coach of the Équipe Tricolore. Under his stewardship, France won the 2018 World Cup, lost the 2022 final to Argentina in a penalty shootout described as possibly the most spectacular World Cup final of all time, and reached the Euro 2016 final. Before the tournament, Deschamps had returned to France to attend his mother's funeral and had entrusted the final group match to his assistant.

The 57-year-old Deschamps appeared moved but satisfied at his farewell: „Ich bin sehr glücklich und stolz auf alles, was wir mit der Mannschaft erreicht haben." For former French striker Olivier Giroud, Deschamps had been a defining figure over many years: „Er ist für einige Spieler wie ein zweiter Vater. Das war bei mir nicht der Fall, aber er hat mir so oft das Vertrauen gegeben, dass ich ihm das auf dem Platz immer zurückzahlen wollte."

France is not expected to field its strongest lineup, but Kylian Mbappé is reported to return to the starting eleven. The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker has already scored eight goals at this World Cup, level with Lionel Messi at the top of the goalscoring chart, and could draw level with Messi's all-time World Cup record with another strike. Mbappé had already embraced his coach on the touchline in the knockout phase after scoring the opening goal against Mexico – a gesture that drew great sympathy given Deschamps' family loss.

Mbappé won the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot. In the match against England, he could further extend his World Cup career goal tally: he currently stands at 20 World Cup goals, one behind Lionel Messi at the time of reporting. Should France win the match, the Équipe Tricolore would give Deschamps a conciliatory farewell – otherwise, the era ends with another defeat following the semifinal loss to Spain.

FA backs Tuchel: Course set for home Euro 2028

The English Football Association (FA), according to British media reports, has shown no indication of deviating from its chosen path with Tuchel despite the semifinal elimination. The FA saw no reason to depart from the plan, it was said after the 1:2 defeat to Argentina. Tuchel continues to enjoy the association's trust. The home Euro 2028 thus remains the long-term goal around which the coach wants to shape his team.

Tuchel himself does not yet consider England to be on a level with France, World Cup finalists Spain, and Argentina. He attributed the gap to those nations' titles built up over many years. „Wenn wir morgen gewinnen, ist es das beste Ergebnis bei einer Weltmeisterschaft seit 60 Jahren. Es ist alles eine Frage der Perspektive," he said, referring to England's 1966 World Cup title.

Third-place playoff: Criticism of the format, millions for the winner

The third-place playoff will be held in Miami Gardens, Florida. Valenzuela from Venezuela has been appointed as referee. Over a decade ago, then Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal had already criticized the third-place match: „Das Schlimmste ist, dass man dadurch eine WM mit zwei Niederlagen nacheinander beenden könnte" and „Das sollte niemals gespielt werden". Nevertheless, the match will take place on Saturday evening, kicking off at 23:00 CEST, broadcast in Germany by ServusTV.

For third place, the team receives approximately 1.75 million euros more in prize money than the loser of the match. Despite the modest sporting significance and widespread criticism of the format, the match is seen by both teams as a final chance to end the World Cup on a positive note – and for Deschamps, as an emotional farewell to an era.