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 that he has not received an explanation from FIFA regarding Jarell Quansah’s controversial two-match suspension.Speaking ahead of Saturday’s showdown at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Tuchel insisted England must approach the knockout tie with courage if they want to keep their World Cup dreams alive. At the same time, the German admitted that he remains in the dark on FIFA’s decision to extend Quansah’s suspension beyond the automatic one-match ban that usually follows a red card.According to Daily Mail:FIFA refused to explain why Quansah’s ban was extended to two matches despite questions from the publication.
Tuchel called on England to play without fear
England reached the quarter-finals after a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico, a game which 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 be overwhelmed by its importance.“This is the exciting part now,” Tuchel said.“But we have to let go, we have to connect our identity, connect what makes us strong, on the front foot and brave. This is the quarter-finals and the brave have luck on their side.”“We won’t regret if we play in the quarter-finals, we have to do it, it’s the most important thing.”The England manager also dismissed suggestions that Norway will approach the competition 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 crashing out to Brazil in the Round of 16, Tuchel believes Ståle Solbakken’s side have every reason to believe they will progress.“They overachieve but I think deep down they know how good they are,” he said.“They know very well how many problems they can cause any team. They proved it. They eliminated a big country on a big stage and since then, there has been no favorite thing.”“Everyone plays to win the competition and has the right to dream. But I didn’t feel our players playing in fear. I didn’t feel the weight of the shirt.”
There was no explanation from FIFA regarding Quansah’s 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 win over Mexico, with the dismissal initially expected to result in the standard one-match suspension.However, FIFA imposed a two-match ban.
Jarell Quansah (26) of England 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 if football’s governing body had given any explanation for the additional punishment, and if his own criticism of the officiating after the Mexico match might have influenced the events, Tuchel admitted he had not heard anything.“I don’t have an explanation,” he said.The publication reported that FIFA declined to give a reason when approached for comment on the decision.The issue became more controversial because the United States successfully obtained 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 play against Belgium.England, however, did not receive similar relief, leaving Quansah unavailable for the quarter-final and any potential semi-final.
Mexico won today strong before
Despite the controversy surrounding the Mexico game, Tuchel said England had deliberately moved on from one of the tournament’s most dramatic matches.The Three Lions were given 48 hours to recover after 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 had to overcome, Tuchel compared the experience to one of the most difficult tasks in the Premier League.“Azteca and a match like that is really the whole package of an experience,” he said.“We just had to find a way. That’s how we framed it as a team.”“If you need a picture from the Premier League, it’s January, it’s far from Sunderland or Leeds. It’s a challenge. It’s a bad season. You don’t like the referee’s decisions. All is not well.”“We found a way. But we can’t get carried away, we have to stop looking back now. That’s what we agreed on as a team—we drew a line in the sand. No more Mexico. It’s all about Norway.”Tuchel finished with a reminder of what remains at stake as England chase a place in the World Cup semi-finals.“Football and the World Cup exist to make a country and our fans dream, to believe and inspire them. This is what it is for and we want to take the next step.”