On 13/2, the FA announced that Tuchel agreed to extend his contract, continuing to lead the England national team until the end of Euro 2028, a tournament hosted at home.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham stated that the new agreement includes performance clauses but declined to reveal if a termination clause exists after the 2026 World Cup.

"We appointed him with the intention of leading the team until 2028. Everyone has performance clauses in their contracts, but I cannot go into details," Bullingham said on the sidelines of the UEFA Congress in Brussels. "We are very clear that we want him to continue his work until 2028."

Head coach Thomas Tuchel extended his contract to lead England until 2028 on 12/2. *Photo: FA*

Tuchel took charge of England on 1/1/2025 under an 18-month contract. He has led the "Three Lions" in 10 matches, with one loss and nine wins, including a perfect 2026 World Cup European qualifier campaign with eight wins and no goals conceded.

The decision to extend the contract before the 2026 World Cup faced some mixed opinions, suggesting the FA should have waited for the tournament's results before deciding. However, Bullingham asserted that letting the contract expire after the World Cup was impractical.

"When a fixed-term contract is nearing its end, the person involved has to consider their future. We have a world-class coach, and he is doing a great job, so we want to continue together," the FA chief executive emphasized.

According to Bullingham, the early extension also aims to prevent speculation about Tuchel's future before and during the tournament. "We want clarity several months before each major competition. That provides certainty for the coaching staff and players," he stated.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel on the red carpet before the 2026 World Cup draw. *Photo: ANP*

This move is believed to help the FA avoid the risk of Tuchel becoming a target for major clubs during the summer transfer window, including Manchester United. However, Bullingham rejected any link between the extension and the potential vacancy for the head coach position at Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim was sacked.

"The discussions happened very naturally after we qualified for the tournament. This is a logical step. He truly enjoys the work with the national team," Bullingham said. "Tuchel enjoys the international football environment, the time between matches to plan, and is fully immersed in this challenge."

At the 2026 World Cup, England is in a group with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. If they top the group, Tuchel's squad will face another third-placed team from a different group in the round of 16, before potentially reaching the round of 8 in Mexico City. The "Three Lions" could meet Brazil in the quarter-finals, with a scenario of facing defending champions Argentina in the semi-finals.

Hong Duy (according to ESPN)