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Thomas Tuchel says managing at the World Cup was once “too big to dream of” but has made an impassioned plea to FIFA about the national anthems after guiding England to an opening 4-2 win over Croatia.

In his first match at the finals, Tuchel was part of one of the most entertaining games in the first set of fixtures at the 2026 edition as Croatia replied to Harry Kane goals to make the scoreline 2-2 at half-time in Arlington, where Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford scored after the break.

“This is a very, very big ask and a great honour,” said Tuchel, who is in his first international role. “Since [Tuesday], I’ve felt the spirit and what it means.

“To be at a World Cup is just amazing and I’ve felt very, very alive over the last two days. I didn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.”

World Cup 2026: Tuchel makes plea to FIFA

The first German manager to lead England, Tuchel found his enjoyment of the pre-match national anthem spoiled by camera lenses.

“I have to tell you something,” he explained. “I’m begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers at the national anthem, because I could not see my team.

“I had been waiting for this moment; it was a very, very special moment and I was standing in front of a wall of 50 photographers, half a metre away.

“I could not see one single player and it ruined my experience a little bit. It is very emotional – when I was a young coach, even when I started coaching, this was too big to dream of.

“I’m very grateful to everyone who helped me along the way – my family, friends and every colleague who trusted and supported me.

“I could never have done it alone. Step by step, you dream a little bit bigger. When you are an under-14 coach, you dream of maybe being under-19 coach.

“Then somebody gives you a crazy opportunity and you end up in professional football.”

England vs Croatia: Tuchel inspires World Cup win

Marin Baturina equalised for the Vatreni and Petar Musa repeated the trick five minutes into first-half added time, but Tuchel’s team talk at the interval inspired England, with Kane and Declan Rice among the players to discuss how the Champions League winner had inspired them.

“The words he used and what he said settled everyone,” said Rice, calling Tuchel “top”.

“I can’t say too much, but it was just one of those moments where you’re like, ‘wow – what a top manager.’”

Tuchel explained that Rice had been replaced by Morgan Rogers with 18 minutes remaining because the midfielder had indicated discomfort in his lower back area.

World Cup 2026: Rashford impressive for England

Marcus Rashford continued his international renaissance under Tuchel by giving England a two-goal cushion 13 minutes after replacing winger Anthony Gordon.

“Marcus is pushing and pushing and pushing in training at the highest level,” said Tuchel.

“I’m very, very happy for him that he got this relief and I hope he stays hungry for the next one and the next one because he was absolutely impressive through the last 17 days and he really, really deserved this goal.”

Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, was “brave” to move to Aston Villa when the Red Devils’ Premier League rivals borrowed him for three months at the end of the 2024/25 season, said Tuchel.

“Aston Villa are clearly a team that defines themselves as a true team through stability, through hard work off the ball.

“He did so well for them, so we selected him and every time he was in camp, I saw a very calm, very open-minded Marcus who always tried his very best.

“In, the last 17 days that has never changed. His attitude never changed, whether he was selected to start or came from the bench.

“He struggled for us to be decisive when he started but he was always trying. He got a bit unlucky for a long time.

“We had a talk [on Tuesday] where I I told him that I’ve been very, very impressed with his last 16 days: how he was in camp, how he pushes on on the field.

“He is totally invested in every meeting. He is very, very fast in translating, from a meeting, what we want tactically onto the pitch.

“He pushes on a very respectful level with Anthony Gordon on the position. So at the moment, he’s in a very good place.

“I was so happy that he was the one to to to unlock this [match, because there was] this long spell when he was not decisive for us [in games]. Hopefully, he can he can keep this up.”

England next match at FIFA World Cup 2026

England’s next match at the World Cup will be their second game against Ghana at 21:00 on June 23.

Here’s how their group stage fixtures and potential schedule look at the finals, including details of how to watch in the UK.