England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina on 15 July 2026 continues to reverberate, with senior players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading a "full and frank" review meeting with head coach Thomas Tuchel during the September international break.
Player grievances over tactical approach
According to BBC Sport, the squad expressed strong views about Tuchel's instructions during the closing stages of the 2-1 loss in Atlanta. After Anthony Gordon gave England a 55th-minute lead, the team adopted a defensive posture that allowed Argentina to equalize through Enzo Fernandez and snatch a stoppage-time winner via Lautaro Martinez. Several senior players felt the approach was too negative and believed England's man-for-man superiority warranted a more attacking stance, especially with 38-year-old Nicolas Otamendi in the Argentina defense for the final 18 minutes.
Kane and Bellingham speak out
Captain Harry Kane was described as strong and forthright, while Jude Bellingham's candid contribution underscored his growing influence within the squad, with many viewing the Real Madrid midfielder as a future captain. The meeting appears to have cleared the air, as England responded with three impressive Nations League victories, scoring 12 goals without conceding against the Czech Republic and Croatia, following an opening 3-2 loss to Spain.
Tuchel-Bellingham relationship improves
Tuchel acknowledged an "up and down" relationship with Bellingham but said they are now in a good place, praising the midfielder's quality and influence. England's next fixtures are a home match against Croatia on Thursday and a trip to Madrid to face world champions Spain on Sunday, offering further insight into the team's progress under Tuchel.
