Thomas Tuchel has called on FIFA to implement an immediate change following England’s 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday night.

The Three Lions began their 2026 World Cup campaign in impressive fashion at the Dallas Stadium in Texas.

Harry Kane gave England the lead in the 12th minute from the penalty spot. Martin Baturina equalised with a stunning strike 10 minutes before half-time before Kane netted his second of the match.

Tuchel’s men were dealt a blow moments before the interval when Petar Musa made it 2-2, much to the frustration of England’s coaching staff.

“A complicated and confusing first half from us, really,” England assistant coach Anthony Barry said during a frank half-time interview with ITV. “I think a lot of nervous energy early on. Maybe that should be accepted, and maybe expected in the opening game of a World Cup.

“From there, then we made some decisions where the energy was not free in our mind, playing long when we should play short, playing short when we should play long, really not playing through the gaps so not allowing us to accelerate our game the way we wanted to.

“Then you think the penalty would free us up, allow us to play more like us, look more like ourselves, but again we fall back into some fearful patterns, and yeah… we’ve always been able to rely on set pieces.

“We get the second goal again. We’re hoping that’s the moment that would allow us to move forward in the game, but okay, we concede the second goal later on, and now we have to speak about that at half-time.”

England Produce Excellent Second-Half Display

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

Whatever Tuchel and his coaching staff said during the break clearly had the desired effect. England were the superior side in the second half and won the game thanks to excellent goals from Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford.

“I thought it was a game of two halves. In the first half, we were OK,” Harry Kane told ITV after the match. “[We were] really disappointed to concede in the way we did. I thought we dropped off.

“We went full gas and they couldn’t live with it. Credit to everyone for the first game of the tournament.”

Tuchel Calls on FIFA to Implement Change

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

While Tuchel was pleased with his side’s second-half display, he was far less happy with a pre-match incident involving the photographers.

The German tactician said his experience was “ruined a little bit” by a wall of photographers who obstructed his view of the national anthems and has called on world football’s governing body to sort the situation out for next time.

“I have to tell you something. I’m begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem, because I could not see my team,” Tuchel was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

The England boss added: “It is very emotional. Listen, when I was young, and even when I started coaching, this was too big to dream of, to have this kind of a career.

“I felt the spirit, and what it means to be part of a World Cup. It’s just amazing, and I felt very, very alive the last two days. I didn’t want to be anywhere else in the world than here.”

Tuchel has not sung God Save The King – England’s national anthem – since he was appointed England manager in January 2025.

He initially said that he must “earn the right” to sing it, but has hinted that he will do so if England reach the 2026 World Cup final on July 19.

Tottenham face the prospect of losing a promising player this summer, as reports claim that he is now pushing to leave the club in the transfer window.

It comes as the hierarchy at Spurs are overseeing an important transfer window for the club, as they look to get the club back where they belong at the very top of the Premier League once more.

Incomings have been on the agenda so far, with two signings already completed, while a fee has been agreed with Brighton for Jan Paul van Hecke to make him the third arrival.

Talks are ongoing to sign Savinho for the forward ranks, while there is interest in Sandro Tonali to help improve the midfield area.

While Tottenham are keen to improve the squad, there are concerns that some important players could leave this summer, with uncertainty now surrounding the future of Luka Vuskovic.

Luka Vuskovic Pushing For Tottenham Exit

Tottenham have strengthened their defensive options this summer, but those signings could now force an exit for Vuskovic over the next few weeks.

According to journalist Alex Crook, the 19-year-old is now pushing to leave Spurs, as he searches for more guaranteed game time without being sent on loan again.

Vuskovic has been the subject of transfer interest from Brighton, who have had an offer in the region of £35 million rejected in discussions separate from the North London club’s talks to sign Van Hecke.

It’s unclear whether the Seagulls will return with an offer for the Croatian international, while he remains unhappy at the prospect of staying at Tottenham.

It comes as a potential blow for the club, who have been keen to maximise the potential of Vuskovic as one of the most promising defenders for the future.

His return from Hamburg brings plenty of questions over his future, which will need to be answered in the next few weeks.

Tottenham Advantage In Vuskovic Future

As Vuskovic faces doubts over his future, Tottenham appear to hold almost all of the cards to decide on what his next steps will be.

Spurs have a deal until 2030 for the defender, meaning they have plenty of time on their side and there is no need to force a deal this summer.

Add to that his need to develop, and Tottenham have a clear advantage in deciding the future of Vuskovic, whether that is on loan or with the club.

An exit could raise some valuable transfer funds, especially for a player who is not currently proven, but any fee must be sizeable and well beyond the £35 million currently on the table.

Liverpool have agreed the first signing of the Andoni Iraola era after completing a shock transfer hijack for Victor Munoz, according to an overnight bombshell from Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool appear to be placing a large emphasis on strengthening their attacking options following the appointment of Iraola at Anfield earlier this month.

The Reds have been working on a deal to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig as a replacement for the outgoing Mohamed Salah, with GIVEMESPORT sources reporting that club chiefs have made progress on the player’s side, and they now believe that the 19-year-old would like to join them.

Agreeing a fee with the Bundesliga outfit for the sensation could be another matter though, with Leipzig ready to demand a fee in excess of £100m for their prized asset, who announced himself on the world stage with a man-of-the-match performance for the Ivory Coast in their opening World Cup group game against Ecuador.

Liverpool have been linked with bringing in a second winger too, with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain one of the names linked, but now they are closing in on a deal to sign Munoz from Osasuna instead.

Romano: Liverpool Hijack Newcastle Deal for Munoz

Vincent West Via Reuters

Reports in recent days had suggested that Newcastle United were closing in on a deal to sign Munoz from Osasuna, but Romano revealed late on Wednesday night that Liverpool have completed a ‘shock’ hijack and activated the player’s €40m release clause in a transfer that has come ‘out of nowhere’.

The Reds have verbally agreed terms with the 22-year-old, who is currently representing Spain at the 2026 World Cup, and he will become the first signing of the Iraola era.

GIVEMESPORT sources revealed that the Spaniard will sign a six-year deal to link up with his compatriot Iraola at Anfield, in the club’s first major summer arrival.

In another detail revealed, Real Madrid will receive half of the €40m fee because of the 50% sell-on clause written into the contract when he joined Osasuna.

Liverpool Working on Midfield Signing

via Reuters

Liverpool are also considering their options in midfield, where Curtis Jones is expected to leave after attracting strong interest from Serie A.

Doubts have also been raised over the future of Alexis Mac Allister, according to GMS sources, meaning there could be a new arrival in the engine room in the coming months.

GMS have revealed that the Reds have a big appreciation for Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton, who has just helped the Eagles qualify for the Europa League after winning the Europa Conference League final.

The Merseysiders are one of many top Premier League clubs holding talks over Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi who, like Diomande, announced himself on the world stage at the World Cup by dominating Casemiro and the rest of the Brazilian midfield during Morocco’s 1-1 draw with the South American giants.

Liverpool chiefs must now decide which route they are going to go down, but what is clear is that they are ready to heavily back Iraola in this window after a disappointing season.