Tuchel vows to remain England head coach until Euro 2028 despite World Cup semi-final exit

By Isla Hartley · Sports Reporter · July 16, 2026

By Isla Hartley — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

Tuchel confirms commitment to England

Thomas Tuchel has affirmed his intention to remain as England head coach until Euro 2028, despite the team’s recent defeat in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina. England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 were dashed after a 2-1 loss to the holders in Atlanta. Tuchel, who extended his contract earlier this year, reiterated his commitment to lead the Three Lions into the upcoming European Championships.

During a post-match press conference following the defeat, Tuchel directly addressed questions about his future, stating, “We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros. I’m looking forward to that even though right now it’s difficult to look that far ahead.” This commitment aligns with the Football Association’s (FA) intention for him to continue, as his deal includes performance-related clauses but the assessment is not expected to be based solely on results.

Tuchel was appointed as head coach in January 2025, and his initial contract was extended through to Euro 2028, a tournament that England will co-host with Wales, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland. Despite the disappointment of the World Cup semi-final, Tuchel’s challenging route through the tournament means he is not anticipated to face immediate pressure regarding his position, unless there is a significant downturn in performance.

World Cup semi-final heartbreak

The semi-final match saw Anthony Gordon give England an early lead, creating a sense of optimism for the team. However, Argentina mounted a late comeback, with goals from Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez in the final minutes, securing their victory and ending England’s World Cup journey. The defeat left captain Harry Kane expressing his disappointment, noting that the team’s strategy to hold onto a 1-0 lead proved insufficient at this level of competition.

Kane reflected on the match, stating, “Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on which at this level is just not enough, so I’m gutted.” He also mentioned that while the message from Tuchel and his staff was to continue pushing for another goal after Gordon’s opener, the team struggled to maintain pressure on the ball and increasingly retreated, allowing Argentina to build momentum and ultimately score twice within seven minutes.

The England captain acknowledged the team’s efforts throughout the tournament, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the players. He noted that the team had many positive moments and reached another semi-final, indicating they are close to achieving their ultimate goal. Kane believes the team is “knocking on the door” and needs to find that “missing piece” to succeed in future tournaments.

Looking ahead to the third-place play-off and Euro 2028

Following their semi-final exit, England will remain in the US to prepare for a third-place play-off match against France in Miami on Saturday. Tuchel acknowledged that while it is a match neither team would prefer to play, reaching the semi-final for the second time in eight years is still an achievement. He emphasised the importance of professionalism and the need for the team to bounce back.

Tuchel stated, “We have to wait for four years (to go again at another World Cup). In itself it’s an achievement, of course it’s a semi-final. A lot of big footballing nations are eliminated before the semi-final. It is an achievement, no one wants to hear that at the moment, me neither, because we demand the most of ourselves because we are so competitive.” He also noted the challenge of having one less day than France to recover but affirmed the team’s commitment to performing professionally.

The focus now shifts towards the upcoming Euro 2028, where England will have the advantage of being one of the co-hosting nations. Despite the recent World Cup disappointment, Tuchel’s confirmed tenure provides stability as the team looks to build on their tournament experiences and strive for success in the European Championships.

Bookmakers had previously installed former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as a favourite to potentially succeed Tuchel, should the German have decided to leave earlier than expected. However, Tuchel’s clear statement confirms his commitment to his contract until the home Euros in 2028.

Source: skysports.com

Isla Hartley

Sports Reporter

Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”