England’s World Cup assessed by Sky Sports readers – Thomas Tuchel, tactics, players, expectations… and what next for Euro 2028? | Football News
It’s all over – and, once again, it’s not coming home.
Thomas Tuchel, who faced heavy criticism after England’s late semi-final collapse against Argentina, says the “scars” of 2026 will remain, but his side signed off by beating France 6-4 in a remarkable bronze medal match to secure their best finish for 60 years.
What conclusions can really be drawn from that game? How should England’s tournament be viewed overall? Who impressed you and who didn’t? And is Tuchel still the right man for Euro 2028?
We asked you for your comments and reflections and you delivered. Here’s the verdict on England’s World Cup in the words of Sky Sports readers…
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Sky Sports football correspondent Rob Dorsett has been with England every step of the way at the World Cup – he reflects on England’s performance at the tournament and what could have been…
Was the France win cause for optimism or frustration?
Brid Deano: “After the showing vs France, you can just imagine the threat we would have posed in the last 30 mins vs Argentina, with either Bukayo Saka or Marcus Rashford on the pitch. Mind-blowing not throwing just even one of them on, rather than four defenders.”
Ryan: “Don’t read too much into to the first half, it was second XI vs second XI. As soon as France brought on the superstars their quality shone through. Rashford and Saka showed why Tuchel was wrong to drop them, and our defence was more than questionable.”
Chris007: “Don’t be fooled by that performance. France didn’t show up till the second half. It just papered over the cracks. When France did show up England couldn’t compete with them.”
Roy W: “Playing with freedom when the pressure’s off against a team with no motivation is nothing to get excited about. Same thing will happen in the Euros when the pressure is on.”
DeeC: “What a fantastic ending for the England squad. Yes, they will be hurting badly, as are we all, but for those being so brutally critical of a third-placed finish, stop all the negativity and be proud! We will be back stronger and wiser.”
How should England’s campaign be viewed overall?
England’s third-placed finish was their best since that 1966 triumph
Rob: “Nobody had us down as winners so to be outraged we aren’t there is ridiculous. However, the semi-final was there for us to go and win if the players and manager had the belief we could have been brave in our play and tactics.”
MilesLl: “England had a decent second half against Croatia and put in a half-decent performance against Mexico. Everything else was below average or poor. We maybe just deserved to be in the most pointless game in the tournament. England need to go up a level or two both physically and mentally.”
RJHarding: “On reflection, third place isn’t too bad; yes, we could have done better tactically against Argentina, but I think we’d have lost regardless. Ultimately we’re not as good as most fans/pundits think and the last 5 tournaments have been a massive improvement for England overall.
Matt ‘Skinny’ Gardham: In May, nobody expected much; we overachieved in that sense. The frustration comes from being 1-0 up in the semi-final and failing to adapt to second-half substitutions with positive changes of our own. Another missed opportunity
Jack11: “Fans act like England have a divine right to win the World Cup. It’s our best finish since 1966 and our best finish ever on foreign soil. We should be very happy with this.”
Buckly: “We seem to perform when there is no pressure. Maybe it is our DNA. We probably learned more in this World Cup though than any other.”
How did the players fare?
Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer at the tournament, but some readers scrutinised his overall performances
Dave: “It’s very clear to me that England to me were poor defensively all tournament. You can’t claim to be good defensively by putting four centre-halves on and strikers coming deep.”
Gazza949: “Our wide men were too inconsistent. Elliott Anderson and Declan Rice were good, but we need a box-to-box midfield player in there. Nico O’Reilly was average and we had no truly decent right-back.
Adiemoore: “Reece James, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi were not good enough. It should have been Jayden Bogle, Harry Maguire, John Stones and Lewis Hall at the back.”
danburts: “Ivan Toney didn’t offer much, but his presence as an actual No 9 creates space for the wingers and midfielders to attack. Harry Kane did not have a good tournament. He comes too deep, reduces numbers and space high up the pitch.”
Mike: “It seems a controversial opinion, but the lumbering Kane seems analogous to the Ronaldo situation at Portugal. They do score goals, but their presence seems to detract from how the team can play.”
Is Thomas Tuchel still the right man?
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Jamie Redknapp gives his thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup campaign and why he believes he should be replaced as England manager
Nufcadam: “I honestly think this was a learning curve from TT: first time managing in an international tournament. Although I still feel it was a missed opportunity, TT is the man for the job and hopefully he won’t make the mistakes he made this tournament in the future.”
Nock: “We have very good players who play in the toughest league in the world, regularly play in Europe and know how to win tournaments. The blame is solely on the manager not having clear tactics and picking an unbalanced squad. He should be replaced immediately.”
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Paul Merson said Thomas Tuchel did not prove himself different to Gareth Southgate
Nash: “Events over the last few days have left me wanting Tuchel out. Mistake after mistake during the tournament. Picking unfit players, not rotating the squad. Then the baffling defiance after the semis. Now you’ve got Saka saying he was fit all tournament. MESS!!
Steve oll: “Tuchel is not the man for the job. He made the wrong squad selection from the start and then the wrong team and substitutes throughout not acceptable he has to go.”
Becky h: “You can’t help but think Tuchel’s DNA comments were right. I’m fully backing him to stay as manager. I personally don’t think there is anyone decent enough to take over, especially from an English point of view.”
CC: “What is frustrating is seeing everyone slate Tuchel so much. Yes, the subs he made were bad in the Argentina game, but if it worked would they have been bad? I don’t see the likes of Eddie Howe/Frank Lampard coming in and winning us the Euros.”
Paul: “Don’t mess about – go get PEP GUARDIOLA!!!!!!!!!”
What’s the key going forward?
Donutsweet: “The future looks bright, but Kane and Jordan Pickford need to step aside and allow us time to find their main replacements. We also need to find a right-back.”
Mick dundee: “We never had a genuine playmaker, that’s what’s missing. Our coaches play safe with two holding midfielders. We need to change our way of thinking – caution doesn’t win anything.”
EnglishFrenchDweller: “Is the main priority now ahead of the next tournament to develop a playing style to adapt when England need to control the games? A style to keep the ball and defend by having possession?”
Gunnerlukey: “I think the one thing we should be worried about is lack of a striker for the next tournament. Kane, although a great goalscorer, is too far back and the other options are lacking. There’s a big hole up top for England in years to come.”
