Tuchel unlikely – Thomas Tuchel’s complaint about being blocked by photographers during England’s 4-2 win over Croatia has prompted FIFA to revise protocol for Thursday’s matches—but the England manager is unlikely to accept further compromises, with Tuchel already describing h
Thomas Tuchel spent the national anthem trying to see his players. In Dallas, he couldn’t.
England were in control during last night’s 4-2 victory over Croatia, but the moment before kick-off left the England boss fuming. Tuchel said he was blocked by a group of photographers positioned so close that he couldn’t watch his team sing “God Save the King.”
He later called for change in no uncertain terms. “I’m begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers, because I could not see my team [during] the national anthem, and I was waiting for this moment,” Tuchel said.
A video captured the stand-off, showing Tuchel visibly frustrated as he confronted the snappers. “Very close guys, you’re very close. You’re very close I cannot see anything. ” he could be heard saying. before gesturing with his arms as he tried to move past them. He eventually stepped back and linked arms with the rest of his staff as the anthem began.
When the anthem started, Tuchel instead looked up at the stadium’s big screen. “It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of 50 photographers half a metre away and I could not see one single player,” he added. “It ruined a little bit my experience.”
FIFA moved quickly after the complaint. For Thursday’s games, officials tweaked protocol by ensuring photographers bunch closer together ahead of kick-off, while the two coaching teams move either to the left or the right. FIFA is aiming to avoid the obstruction that angered Tuchel in Dallas.
But whether the updated arrangement will satisfy him remains uncertain. It is understood that any attempt to shift Tuchel from his dugout is unlikely to be met positively, and that another solution—such as moving the photographers to one side—may have to be found if the obstruction persists.
The backdrop to the dispute is stark. Before matches at Wembley, photographers taking pictures of the national anthems are positioned between the two dugouts, ensuring both sets of coaches have an unobstructed view. That setup did not apply in Dallas.
The stadium design in Dallas also made the problem worse. One of the issues caused there was a lack of space because the venue was designed for the NFL. Similar pressure could hit England again in the United States. with Boston and New York next on the Three Lions’ schedule—both games also set to be staged in American Football venues.
For Tuchel, the concern is simple: the anthem is supposed to be a shared moment with his players. In Dallas, he said it was taken away from him by the proximity of the cameras. With FIFA now changing the protocol. the question is whether that will be enough—or whether he will need FIFA to move the photographers even further away from his view.
Thomas Tuchel FIFA England Croatia 4-2 photographers national anthem Wembley Dallas protocol Boston New York World Cup
If he can’t see them, tough. National anthem isn’t exactly a halftime show.
Wait so FIFA changed the photographers spot… but in Dallas they were like RIGHT there? Seems like a simple fix, move over like 2 feet lol. Also why was it even close enough to block?
This is kinda typical Tuchel drama though. Like he should’ve brought binoculars or something. I’m pretty sure the anthem is on the big screen too, so he could’ve just looked there. Or was he mad because the players didn’t sing loud enough? Not sure.
FIFA “tweaked protocol” like that’s gonna solve everything… Half a metre from 50 photographers??? That’s wild. Next thing you know they’ll say coaches can’t stand there either. Also I swear I saw a video where he looks at the screen the whole time, so idk how “could not see one single player” is even true.