England manager Thomas Tuchel has called on his players to embrace the occasion and play without fear as the Three Lions prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals against Norway, while also revealing he has received no explanation from FIFA for Jarell Quansah’s controversial two-match suspension.Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Tuchel insisted England must approach the knockout game with courage if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive. At the same time, the German admitted he remains in the dark about FIFA’s decision to extend Quansah’s suspension beyond the automatic one-match ban that normally follows a red card.According to the Daily MailFIFA refused to explain why Quansah’s punishment was increased to two matches despite requests from the publication.
Tuchel calls on England to play without fear
England reached the quarter-finals after a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico, a match which saw Tuchel’s side play the final leg with 10 men following Quansah’s dismissal.Now facing Norway, whose campaign has been inspired by Erling Haaland, Tuchel wants his players to rise to the challenge rather than be overwhelmed by its significance.“This is the exciting part now,” said Tuchel.“But we have to let go, we have to connect with our identity, connect with what makes us strong, be on the front foot and be courageous. It’s the quarter-finals and the brave have luck on their side.”“We can’t regret when we play a quarter-final, we have to go for it, that’s the most important thing.”The England manager also rejected suggestions that Norway will approach the contest as underdogs despite facing one of the tournament favourites.
England manager 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 overdid it, 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 have proven it. They eliminate a great nation on a great stage and from there, there are no favorites.”“Everyone plays to win the competition and they have 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 on 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.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 if the football governing body had provided an explanation for the additional punishment, and if his own criticism of the office after the Mexico match may have influenced the events, Tuchel admitted that he had heard nothing.“I didn’t have an explanation,” I said.The publication said FIFA declined to provide a reason when approached for comment regarding the decision.The issue became even more contentious because the United States successfully secured a suspension of Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban before the tournament after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which allows the forward to appear against Belgium.England, however, received no similar relief, leaving Quansah unavailable for both the quarter-finals and any potential semi-finals.
Mexico now wins firmly in the past
Despite the controversy surrounding the Mexico match, Tuchel said England had deliberately moved on from one of the tournament’s most dramatic contests.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, Missouri (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Reflecting on the conditions in which England won, Tuchel compared the experience to one of the hardest jobs in the Premier League.“The Azteca and a match like that was really the complete package of an experience,” he said.“We just had to find a way. That’s how we framed it with the team.”“If you need a picture from the Premier League, it’s January, it’s away in Sunderland or Leeds. It’s adversity. It’s not a good time. You don’t like the referee’s decisions. Everything feels bad.”“We found a way. But we can’t be carried away, we have to stop looking back now. That’s what we agree with the team – we draw a line in the sand. It’s no longer Mexico. It’s only for 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 are here to make a country and our fans dream, to believe and excite. That’s what it’s for and we want to take the next step.”