There are managerial promises that are safely abstract and there are managerial promises that become increasingly concrete with each match that goes well, and Thomas Tuchel’s pledge to sing God Save The King only if England reach the World Cup final has gone from charming eccentricity to logistical planning depending on today’s result against DR Congo.
Tuchel has managed England since January 2025. He is German. He has stood silently through God Save The King at every international fixture for 18 months, making eye contact with his players and reading their emotional readiness while the anthem plays around him. He has publicly pledged that he will sing if England reach the final. The final is July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. England play DR Congo today in the round of 32. They then play Argentina on July 5 if they advance. The quarter-final, semi-final, and final follow in sequence. The anthem is getting closer.
England’s group stage, per GB News, raised questions about Tuchel’s formation choices. Alan Shearer noted that over 270 minutes of group football, Tuchel deployed nine different combinations of full-backs and wingers and eight separate players in those positions. “The lack of a settled starting eleven remains a pressing issue,” Shearer said. England beat Croatia 4-2, drew with Ghana 0-0 in a match described as shocking by the preview writers, and beat Panama 2-0 in the final group game. They are through. They have not settled on a lineup. They have four matches to the final.
The flag debate about Tuchel’s anthem position arrives every match and is resolved, temporarily, by his continued silence. He uses the silence to watch his players. He has said the ritual of watching them during the anthem helps him assess their focus. He has also said he needs to earn the right to sing it. England have beaten Croatia and Panama in this tournament and drawn with Ghana. The earning continues.
DR Congo qualified for their first World Cup this year. They are playing England today. Tuchel will watch his players’ faces during the anthem. The players will look back at him. He will not be singing.
When a German manager of England promises to sing the national anthem only at the World Cup final, and England are four wins away from that moment, what exactly is he watching for?
Sources
GB News: Alan Shearer exposes Thomas Tuchel’s main problem as England boss
