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Soccer-Tuchel rues photographers blocking his view during England national anthem

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 18, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: June 18, 2026

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Thomas Tuchel Frustrated by Photographers Blocking England Anthem View at World Cup

England's World Cup Opener and Tuchel's Anthem Experience

June 18 (Reuters) - When England players lined up to sing their national anthem before their World Cup opener against Croatia, they shared the moment with thousands of their fans at the Dallas Stadium, who sang aloud and waved flags.

Tuchel's Blocked View During the National Anthem

But one person at the stadium who missed out on the experience was England coach Thomas Tuchel, whose view from the dugout was blocked by a throng of photographers positioned in front of him.

Tuchel's Appeal to FIFA

"I'm begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers, because I could not see my team (during) the national anthem, and I was waiting for this moment," a frustrated Tuchel told reporters after Wednesday's 4-2 win.

Impact on Tuchel's Experience

"It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of 50 photographers half a metre away and I could not see one single player. It ruined a little bit my experience today."

Attempts to Resolve the Situation

Media reports said Tuchel tried to get the photographers to move but they did not, and he was left with no choice but to see his players on the stadium's giant screen.

Looking Ahead: England's Next Match

England will continue their Group L campaign against Ghana on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)

Key Takeaways

  • Tuchel described the anthem as "a very, very special moment" but was obstructed by media presence, unable to see his players during the ceremony (Reuters)
  • He publicly called on FIFA to adjust photographer positioning to preserve the emotional experience for team officials (Sport1)
  • FIFA stadium guidelines recommend designated media zones, suggesting that the issue may stem from implementation rather than policy (FIFA technical guidelines)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Thomas Tuchel unable to see the England national anthem ceremony?
His view was blocked by photographers positioned in front of the dugout at Dallas Stadium.
What did Tuchel request from FIFA after the match?
He asked FIFA to change the position of the photographers during pre-match ceremonies.
How did Tuchel try to resolve the issue with photographers?
He attempted to ask the photographers to move, but they did not comply.
How did Tuchel view his players during the anthem?
He had to watch his players on the stadium's giant screen as his view was blocked.
Who will England play next in the World Cup group stage?
England will continue their Group L campaign against Ghana on Tuesday.

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