Donald Trump has remarkably become the latest person to question Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat.
On Wednesday, England took a second-half lead against Argentina and eventually found themselves within five minutes – plus added time – of their first men’s World Cup final since their 1966 triumph.
But Anthony Gordon’s goal gave way to a late strike from Enzo Fernandez and an even-later header by Lautaro Martinez. With that, Argentina saw off England in Atlanta, moving into Sunday’s final with Spain.
German coach Tuchel, who was overseeing England at a major tournament for the first time, has been criticised for ultra-defensive substitutions at 1-0, which invited more pressure from Argentina with plenty of time remaining.
The criticism has been so fierce that some have questioned whether Tuchel should remain England coach, although the Football Association has already publicly backed him, and he previously extended his contract through to 2028.
Now, bizarrely, US President Donald Trump has joined the conversation about Tuchel’s tactics against Argentina, who will aim to retain their world title on Sunday, when they play the European champions in New York.
“You have a great player in England, who I played golf with,” Trump said on Friday, at a Fifa reception in the same city. “You know that, right? He is Harry, who’s been fantastic.
“I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player,” Trump continued, referring to the England captain’s role as a striker, and Tuchel’s defensive moves, which led every player to get behind the ball.
“What do I know about soccer?” Trump added. “They took the lead, and they took their best player, and they put him on defence. Then somehow…
“We got to be a little offensive, right? But no, I’m not gonna call it… Look, what do I know about coaching?
“I thought that was a little unusual, but Harry is a great guy actually.”
The 2026 World Cup has played out across the US, Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams for the first time – expanded from 32.
And Fifa president Gianni Infantino, a friend of Trump, has hinted that the next men’s World Cup could even feature 64 teams. It is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2030.
