England head coach Thomas Tuchel has called on his players to embrace the occasion and play without fear as the Three Lions prepare for their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway, while also revealing he has received no explanation from FIFA over Jarell Quansah’s controversial two-match suspension.Speaking ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Tuchel insisted England must approach the knockout tie with courage if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive. At the same time, the German admitted he remains in the dark over FIFA’s decision to extend Quansah’s suspension beyond the automatic one-match ban that normally follows a red card.According to the Daily Mail, FIFA has declined to explain why Quansah’s punishment was increased to two matches despite enquiries from the publication.
Tuchel calls on England to play without fear
England arrive in the quarter-finals after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico, a match that saw Tuchel’s side play the closing stages with 10 men following Quansah’s dismissal.Now facing Norway, whose campaign has been inspired by Erling Haaland, Tuchel wants his players to attack the challenge rather than become overwhelmed by its significance.“This is the exciting part now,” Tuchel said.“But we need to let go, we need to connect to our identity, connect to what makes us strong, be on the front foot and be brave. It’s the quarter-finals and the brave will have the luck on their side.”“We cannot have any regrets when we play a quarter-final, we have to go for it, this is the most important thing.”The England manager also rejected suggestions that Norway would approach the contest as underdogs despite facing one of the tournament favourites.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
After knocking out Brazil in the Round of 16, Tuchel believes Ståle Solbakken’s side have every reason to believe they can progress.“They have over-performed but I think internally they know very well how good they are,” he said.“They know very well how many problems they can cause to any team. They proved it. They eliminated a big nation on a big stage and from then on, there is no such thing as favourites.”“Everyone plays to win the competition and has the right to dream. But I don’t feel our players playing with fear. I don’t feel the weight of the shirt.”
No explanation from FIFA over Quansah suspension
One of England’s biggest selection headaches remains Quansah’s absence.The Bayer Leverkusen defender was sent off following a VAR review during England’s victory over Mexico, with the dismissal initially expected to result in the standard one-match suspension.Instead, FIFA imposed a two-match ban.
England’s Jarell Quansah (26) leaves the field after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Asked by the publication whether football’s governing body had provided any explanation for the additional punishment, and whether his own criticism of officiating after the Mexico match may have influenced events, Tuchel admitted he had heard nothing.“I haven’t had an explanation,” he said.The publication reported that FIFA declined to provide a reason when approached for comment regarding the decision.The issue has become even more contentious because the United States successfully secured a suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban earlier in the tournament after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, allowing the striker to feature against Belgium.England, however, received no similar relief, leaving Quansah unavailable for both the quarter-final and any potential semi-final.
Mexico win now firmly in the past
Despite the controversy surrounding the Mexico match, Tuchel said England have deliberately moved on from one of the most dramatic contests of the tournament.The Three Lions were given 48 hours to recover following the physically demanding victory at altitude in Mexico City before returning to their training base in Kansas City, where the focus immediately shifted to Norway.
England’s Kobbie Mainoo, left, Jordan Henderson, second from left, Harry Kane, and England’s Anthony Gordon, right, train for the World Cup soccer tournament Friday, June 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Reflecting on the conditions England overcame, Tuchel compared the experience to one of the Premier League’s toughest away assignments.“The Azteca and a match like that really was the full package of an experience,” he said.“We just had to find a way. That was how we framed it with the team.”“If you need a picture from the Premier League, it is January, it’s away in Sunderland or Leeds. It’s adversity. It’s not good weather. You don’t like the decisions of the referee. Everything feels bad.”“We found a way. But we cannot get carried away, we have to stop looking back now. That is what we agree with the team—we draw a line in the sand. It is no more Mexico. It is only about Norway.”Tuchel ended with a reminder of what remains at stake as England chase a place in the World Cup semi-finals.“Football and the World Cup is there to make a country and our fans dream, to believe and excite them. This is what it’s for and we want to take the next step.”
