ARLINGTON, June 19 — Thomas Tuchel said a “special moment was ruined” and Fifa have now reportedly acted to the England coach being swarmed by photographers during the national anthems ahead of the World Cup clash with Croatia.
The German, managing at a World Cup for the first time, was delighted after seeing his side win 4-2 on Wednesday in Texas in their opening match.
But he was less happy about the massed ranks of photographers snapping him from close range beforehand at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.
“I am begging Fifa to change the position of the photographers for the national anthem because I could not see my team in the national anthem,” he said.
England manager Thomas Tuchel and his coaching during the national anthems before the Fifa World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, June 17, 2026. — Reuters pic “I was waiting for this moment, it was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of a wall of 50 photographers half a metre away.
“I could not see one single player and it ruined a little bit my experience today.”
Fifa has now tweaked its guidelines, the BBC and The Athletic reported, to avoid a repeat at the tournament in North America.
The Athletic said that coaches will have the option to stand to the left or right of the photographers during the pre-match ceremony.
Photographers will be grouped closer to the halfway line for “affected games” as part of a compromise, the BBC said.
Football’s governing body Fifa did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment. — AFP
