Thomas Tuchel’s failure to guide England to their first World Cup final in 60 years after the Three Lions’ heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday (July 15) at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup meant that a 96-year curse continued. The final will now be played between Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina and Luis de la Fuente’s Spain.
Tuchel, hailing from Germany, was the only overseas coach to qualify for the semi-final. Each of the other three semi-finalists had coachees of their nationality guiding them. While Scolani and De Feunte led Spain, France were coached by Didier Deschamps.
96-Year-Old Curse Lived On
Tuchel’s failure to lift the trophy with England in his first major international assignment means that the world will have to wait a minimum of four years to see the first instance of a foreign coach leading his team to ultimate glory. Over the 96-year history of the tournament and 23 editions, the FIFA World Cup has always been won by a team that has a person of their own nationality coaching them.
In fact, there have only been two instances in the tournament’s history of an overseas coach playing the final, a feat Tuchel narrowly missed joining. England’s George Rayor led Sweden to the summit clash in 1958, where they lost to Brazil. Later, Ernst Happel of Austria led the Netherlands to the final in 1978, where they were beaten by Argentina.
Scaloni, de La Source Eye History
Both managers playing in the final will not just continue the incredible streak but also have the chance to create history. Scaloni can become the first coach since Italy’s Victor Pozza in 1934 and 1938 to win back-to-back World Cup trophies. He can also become the first coach to win four back-to-back major international trophies.
On the other hand, De Feunte can become only the second coach after Helmut Schron to win the World Cup as coach immediately after clinching the Euros title. Spain’s Vincent del Bosque (World Cup 2010, Euros 2012) is the only other coach to hold the World Cup and Euros together.
