Thomas Tuchel could not see his own players during the national anthem before England's World Cup opener against Croatia. The England head coach stood in front of a wall of 50 photographers, half a metre away, with his view completely blocked as the team sang God Save the King. The moment he had been waiting for—his first World Cup anthem as a manager—was ruined. Hours later, FIFA changed its policy.
The issue began at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The pitch was raised 1.2 metres to accommodate a football field, which reduced the space along the sidelines. During the pre-match anthems, photographers were positioned directly in front of the dugouts, obscuring the coaches' view of the players around the centre circle. Tuchel said he had to look at the big screen to see his team. After his post-match plea, FIFA consulted with a number of people, including Tuchel, and implemented a compromise used at other tournaments: photographers are now grouped in a huddle closer to the halfway line, and coaching staff are permitted to move to the left or right for an unobstructed view. The change was first deployed during Thursday's Group A match between Czech Republic and South Africa in Atlanta.
“Why Thomas Tuchel complained about photographers blocking the national anthem and how FIFA changed its rule.”
The national anthem is a deeply emotional moment for players and coaches. Tuchel, a German who became England manager, described it as "very special" and said he was "still a bit shy" about singing it himself. For him, being able to see his squad take in the occasion was part of the experience. The complaint also reflects a broader tension in modern football: the need for media access versus the desire of teams to maintain focus and privacy. At major tournaments, photographers and camera operators are essential for broadcasting the spectacle, but their positioning can intrude on team rituals. FIFA's swift response suggests it recognises the importance of these moments for managers and players alike.
For UK readers, this matters because it directly affects England's World Cup campaign. Tuchel's victory over the photographers means he and his staff, including assistant coach Anthony Barry and lead analyst James Melbourne, will have a clear view for future anthems. It also sets a precedent: if a manager complains, FIFA is willing to adjust. The incident also highlights the unique logistical challenges of a World Cup hosted in American football stadiums, where the pitch dimensions can create unusual constraints—something England fans may encounter in later matches.
Q: Why was Thomas Tuchel blocked by photographers? The AT&T Stadium's NFL field was too small for a World Cup pitch, so the surface was raised 1.2 metres, reducing sideline space. During the anthems, photographers were placed directly in front of the dugouts, creating a wall that blocked Tuchel's view of his players.
Q: How did FIFA respond to Tuchel's complaint? Within 24 hours, FIFA altered its protocol: photographers are now grouped closer to the halfway line rather than in front of the benches, and coaching staff can move sideways for an unobstructed view. The new approach was tried in the next match.
Q: Does this change apply to all teams at the World Cup? Yes, FIFA confirmed the new policy for subsequent fixtures at the tournament. It is not England-specific, though the issue was raised by Tuchel. Other managers may also benefit from the clearer view.
What happens next: The Football Association is still awaiting discussions with FIFA over the issue, according to BBC Sport. It is unclear whether the compromise will fully satisfy Tuchel, but the change is now in effect. England's next match in Group L will see the new positioning tested, and other managers—or even fans—may scrutinise whether the view is truly unobstructed.