England: Thomas Tuchel begs FIFA to change one thing that "ruined" his experience at World Cup | OneFootball

England boss Thomas Tuchel was looking forward to observing the national anthem on Wednesday evening, but was unable to due to photographers

England began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 semi-finals.

The Three Lions had to wait six days while the groups before them kicked off, so it was safe to say that anticipation had been building, but Thomas Tuchel's side lived up to expectation with a brilliant attacking display.

Harry Kane netted a first half brace, including a retaken penalty for his first goal, to draw level with Gary Lineker atop the all-time England scoring charts at World Cups, but the third-placed side four years ago pegged the Three Lions back both times through goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa.

However, England took the lead back for the third time less than two minutes into the second half through Jude Bellingham and would keep Zlatko Dalic's side out for the remainder of the game. Marcus Rashford's effort five minutes from time secured the three points.

It was a positive start to Thomas Tuchel's first major tournament as England boss, but the German couldn't enjoy it too much due to a pre-match gripe he had with FIFA.

Thomas Tuchel "begs" FIFA to move photographers during national anthems

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There've been some questions asked if the German manager would sing the English national anthem during the World Cup, and while Tuchel hinted that he may if he leads the Three Lions to the final on July 19, that doesn't mean he won't take pride in watching his squad sing it before games in the meantime.

That would be, if he could see any of them doing it through a flock of photographers who were positioned in front of his dugout.

Tuchel expressed his frustration at the positioning of the photographers before the game began on Wednesday evening, admitting that it "ruined his experience" a little bit ahead of his first win in a major tournament as England boss.

"I have to tell you something, I'm begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem, because I could not see my team," he said.

"I was waiting for this moment, it was a special moment for me 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."

Luckily enough, Tuchel had full view of his side's performance against Croatia, in which he'll be especially happy with how dangerous they looked going forward and from set-pieces, which were the catalyst for both of Kane's goals.

Hopefully, an equally good performance can be displayed against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, which can be completed with a view of his side during the national anthem ahead of kick-off.

England will look to continue their winning start to the 2026 World Cup against Ghana on Tuesday

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After downing who many believe to be the toughest opponent that England will have to face in the group stages this tournament, the Three Lions' focus shifts to Ghana on Tuesday night, who also picked up all three points in their opening group game against Panama.

Captained by Leicester City's Jordan Ayew, who leads an attacking force that includes fellow Fox Abdul Fatawu, Championship title-winner Brandon Thomas Asante, who created the late winner in Toronto, and former Bristol City wideman Antoine Semenyo, Carlos Quieroz's side could be a tricky customer.

However, they weren't brilliant in their opening win against Panama, and are the lowest ranked side in Group L, so Thomas Tuchel's men will be the clear favourites once more.

A win for England will all but mathematically confirm qualification for the knockout phase as the top ranked side in the group, which would provide optimism that the Three Lions could better their quarter-final exit from four years ago.