Thomas Tuchel insists he is “100 per cent” committed to leading England into Euro 2028 after receiving the backing of the Football Association following their World Cup semi-final heartbreak against Argentina. Tuchel has come under fire from all quarters following his defensive substitutions in the 2-1 defeat to the world champions, after England went on the back foot and tried to hold on following Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute opener in Atlanta. Tuchel defended his changes but admitted England were too “passive” - while The Independent understands Argentina’s players were privately stunned by Tuchel’s negative tactics as the Three Lions dropped deep and invited pressure. The FA are nevertheless understood to feel that England’s elimination was not the fault of Tuchel’s tactical decisions, with the German explaining that the DNA of English football needs changing if his side are to win major tournaments. “There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that,” Tuchel said on leading England at a home Euros. “I still feel there is an extra level that we need to conquer and need to step up to the next level to get the big prize.”Follow all of the reaction from England vs Argentina with our live blog belowMiguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer17 July 2026 11:15Argentina players privately stunned by Thomas Tuchel’s defensive approach to World Cup semi-finalArgentina were stunned by England’s response to taking the lead in their World Cup semi-final and were shocked by the defensive nature of Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions, having specifically prepared themselves for the introduction of pace in the second half.The Independent understands Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was braced for the introduction of one of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, if not both. Scaloni and his staff were aware that their side’s main vulnerability is when a game is stretched, leaving them vulnerable to speed in behind.Argentina players remarked afterwards that they feared this exact scenario following Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal, only to gradually realise that England were dropping deeper and deeper.Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer17 July 2026 10:15Fifa to investigate whether Argentina broke rules over Falklands bannerFifa will assess whether Argentina players broke rules after displaying a banner in support of their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands following their World Cup semi-final win over England.It comes after Downing Street called for an investigation into the celebrations, which saw several Argentina players wave a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates to “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”.Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 and the defending champions will play Spain in Sunday’s final.A Fifa spokesperson said: “As is standard procedure, Fifa’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the Fifa Disciplinary Code.”Jamie Braidwood17 July 2026 09:15Donald Trump to attend World Cup final and present trophyDonald Trump is to attend the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain and is set to present the trophy to the winning team alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino.The US president is yet to attend any of the 102 World Cup matches so far played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the White House confirmed that he will be present for Sunday’s final in New Jersey.“We look forward ⁠to the final match on Sunday, ​and I know ‌the president ‌looks forward to attending,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”Trump’s biggest intervention at this World Cup came when he asked Fifa to “review” US striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension before the last-16 match against Belgium, before hailing Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” when that ban was controversially suspended.Jamie Braidwood17 July 2026 08:15Thomas Tuchel blames England’s ‘DNA’ following World Cup semi-final defeatEngland boss Thomas Tuchel says the DNA of English football needs changing if his side are to win major tournaments and insists he is “100 per cent” committed to staying in the job.Tuchel, who replaced Sir Gareth Southgate with the explicit brief of getting them over the line in major tournaments, was complicit in England’s surrender, with some early defensive substitutions.Asked whether it is possible to change the English mentality, he said: “If it happens then it has to be changed.”Jamie Braidwood17 July 2026 07:15‘Tuchel threw the game away’: Readers split on manager after England’s World Cup exit to ArgentinaSome readers say Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions cost England their World Cup semi-final against Argentina, while others argue the manager was made a scapegoat for a better side simply winningJamie Braidwood17 July 2026 06:15Jamie Braidwood17 July 2026 05:15Wayne Rooney warned us about Thomas Tuchel’s fatal flaw – and nobody listenedEngland’s cowardly retreat against Argentina was a repeat of their strategy against Mexico two weeks earlier, and while that performance was hailed as heroic, it was deeply flawedLawrence Ostlere, Chief Sports Writer17 July 2026 04:15Thomas Tuchel lost his bottle and his pure cowardice ended England’s World Cup dreamEngland had the lead they craved thanks to Anthony Gordon, only for Tuchel – appointed for his tactical acumen – to make a series of inexplicable substitutions that let Argentina turn the game aroundMiguel Delaney at Atlanta Stadium17 July 2026 03:15Thomas Tuchel retains FA’s backing despite heavy criticism after England’s World Cup exitUnder-fire Thomas Tuchel retains the Football Association’s backing after England’s disappointing World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina and looks set to stay on as manager for Euro 2028.Miguel Delaney 17 July 2026 02:15