Gary Neville has pushed back sharply against Thomas Tuchel's claim that English football's "DNA" was responsible for England's semi-final defeat to Argentina at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

England went down 2-1 to Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, despite Anthony Gordon putting the Three Lions ahead early in the second half. Tuchel's side then retreated deeper and deeper as Argentina pressed, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez eventually turning the tie around. The win sends Argentina into Sunday's final against Spain.

Tuchel's DNA argument

In the aftermath, Tuchel argued that retaining possession under pressure is "not in our [English football] DNA like it is in Spanish DNA or in Argentinian-Brazilian DNA." The comments drew an immediate response from Neville, who pointed to a series of decisions he believes directly undermined England's ability to play with the ball.

"I have a big problem with that," Neville said on the Stick to Football Podcast. "He didn't bring Kobbie Mainoo on, who could handle the ball better than most. He didn't bring Bukayo Saka on, who could probably handle the ball better than most. But he also left Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home — technical players. He's left out what would be generational talents."

Neville argued that Tuchel's substitutions sent the wrong signal to the squad. Gordon was withdrawn in the 72nd minute for Ezri Konsa — a defensive switch — before any attacking change was made. "Putting three defensive players on before he brings on an attacker," Neville said. "He gave the players a message to hang on, and they were dropping deeper in the box. He didn't really help them get out with the substitutes he put on."

Neville recognises a familiar England pattern

Despite his criticism of Tuchel's in-game decisions, Neville stopped short of calling for the German's dismissal, placing the result within a much longer England tradition of tournament collapses.

"These are patterns that have emerged time and time again," he told Sky Sports News. "All of us who have played for England are guilty of it, so the idea of me lumping in on Tuchel just isn't going to happen. I was just as big a part of the problem as the lads who played last night."

He described the psychological weight that builds when England defend a lead — legs growing heavy, teams sitting deeper, choosing to protect rather than attack. "You think you can get over the line by keeping a clean sheet," he said, "rather than thinking more positively about how you can counter-attack and score the second goal."

Neville also pointed to the brilliance of Lionel Messi, whose second goal he described as "magnificent," and lamented that England lacked the "difference makers" capable of producing comparable moments of stardust.

Tuchel's future and the squad question

Sky Sports News understands the Football Association are not considering removing Tuchel from his post. He signed a two-year contract extension ahead of the tournament and is expected to lead England into Euro 2028.

Neville acknowledged that Tuchel will face legitimate scrutiny over his decision-making. "He was brought in to be the person who was able to deal with those fine lines — a penalty, a substitution, the last five minutes of a World Cup semi-final — and he hasn't got over the line," he said.

But Neville maintained that the squad itself was built for a specific style: "The squad Tuchel picked was a counter-attacking squad. He took out the technical players like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Adam Wharton, and he didn't play Kobbie Mainoo. Not to bring Mainoo on to try and get a grip of the game, not to bring on Bukayo Saka or Marcus Rashford for some pace — that was a mistake. He'll regret that, but he'll know that and reflect on that himself."

The Romero exchange

Neville also found himself in a public back-and-forth with Argentina and Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero, whom Neville had previously described as part of the "best-worst centre-half pairing in the world" alongside Lisandro Martinez. Romero responded bluntly, telling DSports: "The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid. Hopefully I won't criticise a player or anyone."