Tuchel questions World Cup officiating after England edge Mexico

England are through after a 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca, but Thomas Tuchel used the aftermath to criticise the tournament’s officiating and VAR process. England finished the match with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was dismissed following a review of his challenge on Jesús Gallardo.

Tuchel argued that players and coaches are being left unsure about how decisions will be judged from one match to the next. The Football Association is reported to be considering an appeal against Quansah’s red card, with the quarter-final against Norway in Miami next on England’s schedule.

The Mexico match also included a VAR intervention that led to a penalty for a Harry Kane foul, from which Mexico scored their second goal. Tuchel’s frustration appeared to be about both major calls and the broader consistency of refereeing at a tournament he says is being played at a very high level.

England’s win strengthened Tuchel’s belief that his side can keep progressing, though Jordan Henderson’s tournament is reported to be over after he broke his wrist during the post-match celebrations and required surgery. For editors, the central angle is whether England’s resilience should be the headline, or whether the officiating debate now risks dominating their World Cup campaign.