US President Donald Trump has questioned England coach Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
In the clash, England took a second-half lead through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike but then dropped deeper with Tuchel switching to a back five and ending with six defenders on the pitch as Argentina scored twice in the final five minutes plus stoppage time to reach Sunday’s final against Spain.
German coach Tuchel, who was overseeing England at a major tournament for the first time, has been criticised for his defensive substitutions at 1-0, which invited more pressure from Argentina with plenty of time remaining.
Now, US President Donald Trump has joined the conversation about Tuchel’s tactics against Argentina, who will aim to retain their world title on Sunday, when they play the European champions in New York.
“You have a great player in England, who I played golf with,” Trump said on Friday, at a Fifa reception in the same city. “You know that, right? He is Harry, who’s been fantastic.
“I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player,” Trump continued, referring to the England captain’s role as a striker, and Tuchel’s defensive moves, which led every player to get behind the ball.
“What do I know about soccer?” Trump added. “They took the lead, and they took their best player, and they put him on defence. Then somehow…
“We got to be a little offensive, right? But no, I’m not gonna call it… Look, what do I know about coaching?
“I thought that was a little unusual, but Harry is a great guy actually.”
The 2026 World Cup has played out across the US, Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams for the first time – expanded from 32.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, a friend of Trump, has hinted that the next men’s World Cup could even feature 64 teams. It is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2030.