England manager Thomas Tuchel has prompted a quick response from FIFA after raising concerns about photographers blocking his view during the national anthem before England’s World Cup opener.
Before England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, Tuchel was looking forward to watching his players during the emotional anthem ceremony. However, dozens of photographers standing directly in front of the bench prevented him from seeing the team on the pitch.
After the match, Tuchel expressed his frustration, saying the moment was special to him and that the photographers completely blocked his view. He revealed that he had to watch the players on the stadium’s giant screen instead of seeing them in person.
The England boss urged FIFA to review the photographer setup around the technical area. His comments quickly gained attention, and reports suggest FIFA has already acted on the issue. Under the updated arrangement, photographers will move further down the touchline during national anthems, allowing coaches and staff a clearer view of their teams.
The issue arose because of a new World Cup protocol that places entire squads around the center circle during anthem ceremonies. While the change creates a stronger visual spectacle for fans, it also led to photographers gathering in front of team benches, unintentionally blocking coaches’ sightlines.
Despite the pre-match frustration, Tuchel had plenty to celebrate on the field. England started their World Cup campaign with an exciting victory over Croatia, putting themselves in a strong position ahead of their next group-stage match against Ghana.
The swift response from FIFA highlights how even small details can matter during major tournaments. For Tuchel, being able to see his players during the national anthem was an important part of the World Cup experience, and his complaint appears to have brought an immediate change.
