The Football Association has launched its post-tournament review of England's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, with players set to be consulted as part of the process.

The FA conducts this kind of review after every major international competition, and head coach Thomas Tuchel along with members of his backroom staff attended sessions at St George's Park last week. Those meetings centred on assessing England's performance in North America, with a broader report due to be delivered at a later date.

Crucially, players from Tuchel's squad will also be spoken to, and their views are expected to form part of the overall assessment.

Player discontent after Argentina defeat

That player involvement adds a charged dimension to the review. In the aftermath of England's semi-final loss to Argentina — a match in which England led 1-0 through an Anthony Gordon goal before conceding twice late on to lose 2-1 — a number of squad members voiced private concerns about Tuchel's decision-making.

BBC Sport reported that at least three senior players privately expressed misgivings within 24 hours of the defeat, with a widely shared feeling among the squad that Tuchel's substitutions and defensive tactical setup in the closing stages contributed to the collapse.

Kansas City base also under scrutiny

The review will extend beyond on-pitch matters. England used Kansas City as a permanent base throughout the tournament, returning there after every match regardless of where games were played. The effects of that travel schedule on the squad's performance and recovery will be examined as part of the process.

FA backs Tuchel despite mixed feelings

Despite the frustration surrounding the semi-final exit, England did finish third — defeating France in the bronze medal match — marking their best World Cup result since winning the trophy in 1966. Key figures within the FA have consequently viewed the campaign as a positive step, and the organisation has publicly backed Tuchel ahead of the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign.

England's next competitive fixture comes on 26 September in the Nations League against Spain. They will also face the Czech Republic twice and Croatia once during the upcoming international window.