England's campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in painful fashion — a semi-final loss to Argentina — and reports now reveal that senior players, including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, expressed strong views in the aftermath of that defeat.

According to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, a squad meeting held in September gave all players a chance to voice their feelings about the collapse. Some held clear grievances over the manner of the exit, with a number of senior figures questioning the tactics employed by manager Thomas Tuchel in the closing stages of the Argentina match.

Misgivings over Tuchel's approach

England had appeared well-placed to reach their first World Cup final in 60 years. Standing between them and that historic occasion was an Argentina side that had been carried through to the last four largely on the brilliance of Lionel Messi. Despite those struggles, the Albiceleste overturned Anthony Gordon's opener late in the semi-final, eventually setting up a final against Spain in New Jersey — a game they went on to lose.

Mokbel reports that several senior England players harboured misgivings over Tuchel's instructions during the final stages of the Argentina game, believing the approach had been too negative and too deep. Kane was described as