2026 World Cup: Complaints from Thomas Tuchel lead FIFA to change position on photographers
Thomas Tuchel managed to get FIFA to change the position of photographers during national anthems, ensuring coaches have an unobstructed view.
England coach Thomas Tuchel won a battle with FIFA to have photographers removed from the bench during national anthems. Tuchel claimed he was unable to see his team before their 4-2 win over Croatia due to a wall of photographers blocking his view of the pitch.
FIFA has now changed its policy and agreed a compromise for all affected games. Photographers will now be grouped closer to the midfield line, allowing an unobstructed view for the technical committees. The Group L game in Dallas was Tuchel's first as coach at the World Cup, but he revealed that the occasion, especially the emotion of the national anthems, was marred.
"I have to tell you something. I'm begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers during the national anthem because I couldn't see my team," Tuchel said. "It was a very special moment, and I was in front of a wall of 50 photographers and couldn't see a single player. It ruined my experience a little bit."
AT&T Stadium, which is usually home to the Dallas Cowboys, had to have its field raised 4 feet to accommodate the football field, which resulted in the loss of part of the sidelines - resulting in limited space for coaches and photographers during the national anthems. FIFA implemented the new approach for the first time during the Group A game between the Czech Republic and South Africa, held on Thursday in Atlanta.
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