‘We keep on going’: Thomas Tuchel to remain England boss until Euro 2028 after FIFA World Cup exit

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has vowed to continue leading the Three Lions through to UEFA Euro 2028 after their FIFA World Cup campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 2-1 semifinal defeat to defending champions Argentina.

England appeared on course for a place in their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon gave them the lead early in the second half in Atlanta. But Argentina struck back through Enzo Fernandez before Lautaro Martinez netted a stoppage-time winner to book a final showdown with Spain.

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Despite the painful exit, Tuchel insisted his focus is already on England’s long-term project. The German, who took charge in January 2025 on an initial 18-month deal, signed a contract extension earlier this year that will keep him in charge until the home UEFA Euro 2028.

“We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros. I’m looking forward to that, even though right now it’s difficult to look that far ahead,” Tuchel told reporters.

England to face France in third-place play-off

England will now meet France in Saturday’s third-place play-off, while Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey.

Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty of motivating players for the bronze-medal match but stressed that England would approach it with professionalism.

“None of our players or none of the French players want to play in this match. They want to play in the final; we gave everything to be in the final.

“Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but it is what it is. We have a day less than France to recover, but we will do it professionally. The thing for us is to bounce back and react. That’s what you have to do at the highest level of sport, and that we will do.”

Reflecting on England’s campaign, Tuchel said reaching the last four should not be overlooked, even if it offers little comfort immediately after defeat.

“We have to wait four years to go again at another World Cup. In itself it’s an achievement. A lot of big footballing nations are eliminated before the semi-finals.

“No one wants to hear that at the moment, me neither, because we demand the most of ourselves. We are so competitive, and that’s why this defeat hurts.”