Thomas Tuchel challenges England to be ‘brave’ against Norway as FIFA provides no answers over Quansah ban Football News
England manager Thomas Tuchel has called on his players to embrace the moment and play fearlessly as the Three Lions prepare for the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals against Norway, while also revealing he has received no explanation from FIFA for Jarrell Quasa’s controversial two-match ban.Ahead of Saturday’s game at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Tuchel insisted England must brave their way into the knockout rounds if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Meanwhile, the German admitted he was in the dark about FIFA’s decision to extend Quansah’s ban beyond what would normally be an automatic one-match ban following a red card.according to daily mailDespite inquiries from the publication, FIFA refused to explain why Quasa’s penalty was increased to two games.
Tuchel calls on England to play without fear
England advanced to the quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico. Tuchel’s side fought with 10 men in the closing stages after Cusa was sent off.Now facing Norway, whose campaign has been inspired by Erling Haaland, Tuchel wants his players to rise to the challenge rather than be overwhelmed by its importance.“Now this is the exciting part,” Tuchel said.“But we need to let go, we need to connect with our identity, with what makes us strong, stay in front and be brave. This is the quarter-finals and luck will come to those who are brave.”“When we play the quarter-finals we can’t have any regrets, we have to give it our all and that’s the most important thing.”The England boss also rejected suggestions that Norway will enter the tournament as underdogs despite facing one of the tournament’s favorites.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel watches the World Cup round of 16 match between Mexico and England on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
After knocking out Brazil in the last 16, Tuchel believes Solbakken’s side have every reason to believe they can advance.“They performed well, but I think they knew internally how good they were,” he said.“They know exactly how many problems they can cause any team. They showed it. They knocked out a big country on the big stage and from that point on, there were no favorites anymore.”“Everyone plays to win games and has the right to dream. But I don’t think our players play with fear. I don’t feel the weight of the jersey.”
FIFA gave no explanation for Quansah’s ban
One of England’s biggest draft headaches remains the absence of Coussa.The Bayer Leverkusen defender was sent off following a VAR review in England’s win over Mexico, a penalty that was initially expected to result in a standard one-match ban.Instead, FIFA imposed a two-match ban.
England’s Jarell Quansah (26) leaves the field after receiving a red card during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England on Sunday, July 5, 2026 in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Asked whether football’s governing body had provided any explanation for the additional penalty and whether his own criticism of the referee after the Mexico game might have influenced the incident, Tuchel admitted he had heard nothing.“I haven’t been given an explanation yet,” he said.When reached for comment on the decision, FIFA declined to reveal the reasons, the publication reported.The issue became more contentious after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to allow the forward to play against Belgium, with the United States successfully suspending Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban earlier in the World Cup.However, England were not given similar relief, leaving Cousa ruled out for the quarter-finals and any possible semi-finals.
Mexico has firmly won in the past
Despite the controversy surrounding the Mexico match, Tuchel said England were intent on moving on from one of the most dramatic games of the World Cup.Following their victory at high altitude in Mexico City, the Three Lions were given 48 hours to recover before returning to their training base in Kansas City, where the focus immediately shifted to Norway.
England’s Kobe Mainu (left), Jordan Henderson (second from left), Harry Kane and England’s Anthony Gordon (right) train for the World Cup on Friday, June 26, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Reflecting on the difficulties England have overcome, Tuchel compared the experience to one of the Premier League’s toughest away assignments.“Aztec and games like this are really a complete experience,” he said.“We have to find a way. That’s the framework we have developed with the team.”“If you need a picture from the Premier League, it’s January, away to Sunderland or Leeds. It’s adversity. It’s not good weather. You don’t like the referee’s decision. Everything feels bad. ““We found a way. But we can’t get carried away and we have to stop looking over our shoulders now. That’s what we agreed with the team – we drew a line in the sand. This is no longer Mexico. This is just about Norway.”Tuchel concluded with a reminder of what is still at stake for England in their bid for a World Cup semi-final spot.“Football and the World Cup are about making a country and our fans dream, believe and inspire them. That’s what it’s about and we want to take the next step.”
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