FIFA moves photographers after Tuchel's plea to see England sing national anthem

FIFA altered their pre-match photographer protocol within 24 hours of Thomas Tuchel’s public complaint after the England manager was blocked from watching his players sing the national anthem before their 4-2 victory over Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday.

Tuchel was visibly frustrated as a row of roughly 50 photographers, positioned half a metre from the touchline, obscured his view of the England squad during God Save the King. Unable to see a single player from his dugout, he eventually gave up and linked arms with his coaching staff instead, catching glimpses of the moment only on the stadium’s big screen.

“I am begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem because I could not see my team,” Tuchel said after the match. “I was waiting for this moment. It was a very, very special moment today. It ruined a little bit my experience. It is very emotional. When I was young and when I started coaching, this was too big to dream of.”

FIFA responded swiftly. Photographers will now be grouped in a huddle closer to the halfway line before kick-off, giving coaches and staff a clear sightline to their players during the anthems.

Despite the pre-match frustration, Tuchel had plenty to celebrate on the pitch. Goals from Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, and a Harry Kane double gave England a commanding 4-2 win and a firm grip on Group L, though the defence showed some vulnerability that Tuchel will want to address.

The German coach, who did not sing along with the anthem, left open the possibility of joining in at a later stage of the tournament. “At the very end maybe,” he said. “I am still a bit shy. I don’t want to offend people and don’t want to have the focus on that now.”

With the protocol now adjusted, Tuchel should have an unobstructed view for England’s next group fixture — and, if the team’s form holds, for several more matches beyond it.