England head coach Thomas Tuchel says he is “begging” FIFA to change the position of photographers ahead of World Cup matches after the experience of his side singing the national anthem was “ruined”.Ahead of matches at this summer’s tournament, the full squads of each team line up around the centre circle for the pre-match anthems, while the coaching staff remain in the dug-out – with photographers allowed to stand a few feet away behind a white rope.Tuchel, who was seen remonstrating in front of what he called a “scrum” of photographers, claimed he could not see his squad as they sang ‘God Save the King’ ahead of Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Croatia in England’s opening game of the tournamet.The German subsequently urged world football’s governing body to review where they are allowed to stand.“I have to tell you something, I am begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem because I could not see my team in the national anthem,” Tuchel said in his post-match news conference.“I was waiting for this moment. It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of a wall of 50 photographers, half a metre away, and I could not see one single player. It ruined a little bit my experience.“It is very emotional. When I was young and when I started coaching, this was too big to dream of this kind of occasion.”Tuchel was frustrated by the “scrum” of photographers during the anthems (Marc Atkins / Getty Images)The Athletic has contacted FIFA for comment.Tuchel has been coy on whether he will ever sing the English anthem, initially saying he would have to “earn” the right to do so when he was named as England’s third foreign coach in October 2024.Ahead of the Croatia game, he said he was still “not yet” ready to join in but suggested that may change if he can guide England to a first World Cup since 1966.“I think we are not there yet. At the very end maybe,” he said.“I am still a bit shy. I don’t want to offend people and don’t want to have the focus on that now.”Wednesday marked England’s first appearance at a major tournament since Tuchel succeeded Gareth Southgate as head coach.Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford’s second-half goals secured three points for England, after Harry Kane’s first-half double was cancelled out by Martin Baturina and Petar Musa. They face Ghana on Tuesday, before finishing their Group L campaign against Panama on June 27.Jun 18, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms