Someone had to say it out loud: Tuchel claims World Cup referees are not good enough
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 06.07.26. | 16:32
The England boss was full of criticism towards the officials following a five-goal thriller against Mexico in the Round of 16
Thomas Tuchel launched a scathing attack on the standard of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after England survived a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico to book their place in the quarter-finals.
The England manager was left furious following a chaotic last-16 encounter at the iconic Azteca Stadium, where the Three Lions saw Jarell Quansah sent off and Mexico awarded a second-half penalty after VAR intervention.
Although England eventually progressed, Tuchel made it clear his biggest concern was not the result, but what he believes is the declining quality of refereeing at the tournament.
"It's just not good enough," Tuchel told BBC Sport. "The referees are just not good enough; fourth officials are just not good enough. That's the bottom line.
"Is this a clear and obvious error for the penalty? For sure not. They overturned a situation where he doesn't even give a foul."
England appeared to be cruising after Jude Bellingham struck twice in the opening half to establish a 2-0 lead, but Julian Quinones reduced the deficit before the interval to set up a frantic second period.
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The turning point came in the 54th minute when Quansah was dismissed following a VAR review for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo. Later, Harry Kane restored England's two-goal cushion from the penalty spot before Mexico were handed a spot-kick of their own after Kane caught Brian Gutierrez inside the area.
While Tuchel questioned the intervention that led to Mexico's penalty, former FIFA assistant referee Darren Cann insisted the officials had made the correct calls.
"It is a clear red card," Cann said on BBC One. "Quansah does play the ball first, but that doesn't matter in the laws of the game. He goes through and you can clearly see the studs on the shin. The referee has no choice but to show the red card."
Cann also backed the decision to award Mexico a penalty.
"It is a penalty. Kane unfortunately does kick the Mexico player's foot. It is a little bit similar to the Modric incident when England were awarded a penalty earlier in the tournament. Kane is unaware of the player coming in behind."
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart echoed that view, arguing the referee ultimately reached the correct verdict in all three major incidents.
"The referee has come to the right decision on all three," Hart said. "As soon as I saw the replays, my heart was in my mouth. Quansah deserved to go, Kane didn't get the ball and Anthony Gordon got to the ball first."
Despite Tuchel's frustration with the officiating, England held on to eliminate the tournament co-hosts and move into the quarter-finals, where the focus will now shift from refereeing controversies to their next challenge in the race for World Cup glory.
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Round of 16
Saturday
Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)
/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/
Sunday
France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)
/Mbappe 70 pen/
Brazil - Norway 1-2 (0-0)
/Neymar 90+10 pen - Haaland 79, 90/
Monday
Mexico - England 2-3 (1-2)
/Quinones 42, Jimenez 69 pen - Bellingham 36,38, Kane 60 pen/
22.00: (3.80) Portugal (3.45) Spain (2.00)
Tuesday
03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)
19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)
23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)
***odds are subject to change***