England manager Thomas Tuchel says he asked FIFA to change the positioning of photographers during the 2026 World Cup national anthem after he reported being blocked from seeing his players as they sang “God Save The King.” Multiple outlets describe the incident occurring ahead of England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday. Tuchel said a group or “scrum” of photographers stood directly in front of him, preventing a clear view of the squad during the pre-match ceremony.
After Tuchel raised the issue, reports say FIFA responds by adjusting its protocol for national anthem arrangements. The sources also note that Tuchel’s complaint gained attention around the matchday ceremony, with coverage emphasizing the obstruction of his view rather than any dispute involving the players. While the outlets frame it differently—some using stronger language such as “begging” or “ruined” to describe his reaction—they consistently say Tuchel requested FIFA to reposition photographers so coaches can watch their teams during the anthem. Tuchel’s comments are presented as a push for rule change following the event.
