LONDON — Thomas Tuchel enters this international break needing to win back a section of his England squad and a large part of the supporter base still hurting from the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, even as he retains the full support of the Football Association. England host reigning world and European champions Spain at Wembley in the Nations League on Saturday September 26 in the first major test since that 2-1 loss.
England led by a goal in the semi-final before retreating into a hyper-defensive shape and losing 2-1 as Lionel Messi dominated the closing stages. Sky Sports News reported on the eve of the third-place play-off in New Jersey in July that several senior players were bemused and disappointed by the approach. Tuchel denied it was his instruction and suggested the players had dropped too deep against his wishes, adding that it might not be in their "DNA" as Englishmen to retain the ball under pressure — comments that left players feeling hurt and, in Atlanta as they boarded the team coach after their World Cup dream ended, that their coach had thrown them under the bus.
The tension contrasts with Tuchel's broader standing since taking over in January 2025. He signed a contract extension in February that runs through Euro 2028 and the FA, while conducting its standard full review of the 2026 World Cup, is understood to deem the third-placed finish a success — England's best-ever World Cup performance on foreign soil and highest finish since 1966. For 18 months Tuchel has been immensely popular with the group, building the "brotherhood" he referenced at the tournament alongside assistant Anthony Barry, with the mood in camp staying positive throughout and players offering nothing but praise during the run.
That goodwill was dented by the nature of the Argentina defeat and the public criticism that followed, and the Spain game now carries clear weight. Victory at Wembley would vindicate Tuchel's methods, silence critics and renew belief that England can challenge for silverware next summer now they are back in the top division of the Nations League, while defeat would have the opposite effect. The FA hired Tuchel as the serial winner for the big games, and while the victory over France in the third-place play-off was exciting, it was ultimately a dead rubber marked by bizarre French defending in the first half.
Tuchel will be judged on competitive results against top nations when it matters, and after capitulating to Argentina he cannot afford a similar outcome against Spain. The Nations League ensures competitive fixtures against elite opposition rather than friendlies against lesser teams, and after Spain, England face further proper tests this autumn against the Czech Republic and Croatia that will shape both the squad's trajectory and Tuchel's credibility.