England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed hope that his players would take pride in their third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, marking their best performance since winning in 1966.

The victory over France in a thrilling third-place playoff at Miami Stadium secured their first medal in 60 years, with Tuchel acknowledging the significance of the achievement despite falling short of the tournament-winning goal.

He emphasized that the players' pride in reaching the final and securing a historic result should not be overshadowed by the pain of missing out on the championship.

Tuchel also addressed criticism following England's semifinal loss to Argentina, defending his tactical decisions and highlighting the team's resilience in bouncing back with a strong performance against France.

The manager praised Bukayo Saka's contribution, noting his absence in the semifinal was a tough call due to injury concerns but reaffirming his importance to the squad.The result underscores England's growing presence on the global stage and sets the foundation for future ambitions.