Tuchel considers singing national anthem at World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel has indicated he may sing the national anthem at the 2026 World Cup, ahead of Sunday night’s match against Albania, reports BritPanorama.
Tuchel succeeded interim manager Lee Carsley at the beginning of 2025 after Gareth Southgate’s departure. Carsley, who is from Ireland, previously refrained from singing the anthem, facing criticism from some supporters for his stance.
Tuchel, who took charge earlier this year, remarked that he would need to “earn the right” to sing “God Save the King.” However, he recently hinted at a potential change of heart regarding his stance on singing at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
Responding to questions about whether he has now “earned that right,” Tuchel said, “You think it is already there? I will think about it. Yeah, maybe at the World Cup. Let’s see.” Under his leadership, England has had a strong start, losing only one match to Senegal while winning the rest of their fixtures.
In Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley, Tuchel made bold choices in his line-up, notably leaving out Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in favour of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. After the match, Tuchel explained to Bellingham why he would not start, emphasising that the team’s recent strong performances were a significant factor in his decision.
Tuchel stated, “We had three fantastic performances with Morgan, so one of the reasons was to keep him in this position. The pressing structure between Declan (Rice), Morgan and Harry (Kane) in the middle of the pitch was excellent in the last matches.”
As England prepares for their match against Albania, the team aims to maintain their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifying. Tuchel acknowledged the challenges faced when competing in high temperatures, pointing out the fatigue caused by long seasons and multiple international matches.
He stated, “We need a good bench. We are maybe the nation that suffers the most from international football, long seasons, two cups, cup finals, semi-finals.”
Tuchel’s approach to squad management reflects the complexities of maintaining a strong national team, where even established stars must adapt to changing circumstances.
There’s a tangible sense that these choices are pivotal; as England navigates the competitive landscape en route to the World Cup, every decision carries weight, shaping not just strategy but the spirit of the squad. How players respond to these circumstantial shifts, especially under the pressure of a global stage, will undoubtedly reveal much about both Tuchel as a manager and the character of his team.
