Kane backs Tuchel to learn from World Cup exit

Kane: Tuchel will 'learn a lot' from the Argentina defeat

Harry Kane has publicly backed Thomas Tuchel after England's World Cup semi-final exit to Argentina, but the captain did not pretend everything went to plan. "He's a big reason why we're here, a big reason why we got our best finish in 60 years. Of course, there are a lot of what-ifs from the other night. He's one of the best coaches in the world, but even the best make mistakes" (4).

Kane told The Guardian he believes Tuchel will "learn a lot" from the pressures of managing England, citing the intensity of facing top international sides as something the German coach had to adapt to (3). The sentiment was echoed in Dutch media, with Kane standing firmly behind his manager despite the disappointment (9). Another familiar backing came from Declan Rice.

Rice: "We're so close"

Declan Rice says England are near the finish line. "We're so close, honestly," he said, pointing to the margins that decided the semi-final (5). After England beat France 6–4 in the third-place match, Rice described the trophy drought as "tiring" but insisted the group is not done.

Gary Neville saw it differently. Neville argued Rice was never fully fit during the tournament, calling his absence, in effect, "a massive problem" for England (7). The Arsenal midfielder was part of a contingent of seven Gunners players who collected medals at this World Cup: three gold with Spain, four bronze with England and France (11).

Spain 1–0 Argentina in the final

Spain won the World Cup. Ferran Torres scored the only goal in the 106th minute and Spain beat Argentina 1–0 in Sunday's final (2)(13). That is the same Argentina side that knocked England out. Lionel Messi, facing Spain after finally meeting England for the first time in his career in the semi-final, called the defeat emotional: "These are special feelings. I believe the team felt it" (13).

England's winners and losers

FourFourTwo ran the rule over England's tournament. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Djed Spence, and Elliot Anderson all earned praise in the post-tournament stock take (1). The piece frames a campaign that ended painfully but delivered England's best World Cup finish since 1966.

Stones to Arsenal?

Arsenal are considering John Stones as an injury replacement for William Saliba, whose back problem may keep him out long-term (8). Stones is available on a free from Manchester City. Nothing confirmed yet, but the talks are real.

All-time World Cup table: Spain closes the gap

The updated all-time World Cup standings after 2026 show Spain gaining ground on England, while Argentina remains third behind Brazil and Germany (12). England stay sixth, but the gap above them is shrinking.

Fan reactions

The mood is split. Some fans on r/Gunners pointed to Bukayo Saka as a player who needs careful management but remains vital in big moments, both for club and country. Others on r/worldcup found England's third-place win over France a joyful watch, a proper spectacle free of the fouling that marred the Argentina semi-final. That thread is worth a read if you want to feel what the tournament could have been. Read the match reaction here.