The future of coach Thomas Tuchel becomes clear ahead of England's clash with Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.

The FA has made an early call about Thomas Tuchel's future, regardless of whether England loses to Mexico in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Following a grueling victory over DR Congo in the group stage, England will face a massive challenge when they meet co-host Mexico at the Azteca Stadium early Monday morning.

If the match were held at a neutral location, the "Three Lions" would likely be favored. However, home advantage, the electric atmosphere at the Azteca, and the high-altitude conditions give Mexico a definite edge.

England's form since the start of the tournament has not been entirely convincing. Thomas Tuchel's side was on the brink of elimination with about 15 minutes left in the match against DR Congo, before captain Harry Kane stepped up to rescue the team from danger.

Tuchel was brought in to replace Sir Gareth Southgate with the clear aim of winning the 2026 World Cup. Consequently, rumors about the German coach's job security began to emerge as England's performances failed to meet expectations.

Just ahead of the World Cup, Tuchel extended his contract with the English FA through to the end of Euro 2028, a tournament England will co-host with Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. Nonetheless, the 52-year-old's deal includes performance-based clauses that allow the FA to terminate it without a massive payout if the team does not achieve its targets.

If eliminated in the round of 16, this would be England's worst result at a major tournament since the shocking loss to Iceland in the same stage of Euro 2016 under Roy Hodgson.

However, according to information from The Telegraph, Tuchel would almost certainly have been fired if England had lost to DR Congo. After surviving that test, his position is now far more secure. Even if the "Three Lions" lose to Mexico in Mexico City, the FA does not plan to dismiss the German tactician.

FA officials are expected to carry out a full assessment of the team's campaign after the World Cup ends, with special consideration given to the difficulty of the draw. Unless England suffers a disastrous defeat or an entirely unacceptable performance, the current plan is to continue backing Tuchel.

If they overcome Mexico, England's route to the final is predicted to be extremely challenging, potentially facing Brazil, Argentina, and France in succession. According to the same source, even if they are stopped by one of these three powerhouses, the plan to keep Tuchel in charge will remain unchanged.

Another key factor influencing the FA's decision is the team's internal atmosphere. Although on-field displays have not been fully convincing and Tuchel's strict management style has drawn debate, sources inside the squad say the dressing room maintains a very positive morale and the players fully back the German coach.

Furthermore, Tuchel has drawn criticism for not selecting Trent Alexander-Arnold amid a shortage of right-backs due to injuries. However, those within the England setup disagree with that viewpoint. They argue that Tuchel has simply been unlucky with multiple players sidelined by fitness issues, rather than making an error in squad selection.

After the World Cup, the former Chelsea boss was linked with a possible return to club management. However, with most top European positions already filled, the chances of Tuchel leaving the England job in the near future are seen as slim.

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