England coach Tuchel says focus on Argentina semifinal

England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team is prepared for an emotionally charged World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday, July 15, in Atlanta, Georgia, but stressed his squad is not dwelling on the historic rivalry between the two nations. The winner will advance to face Spain in the final on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tuchel acknowledged the weight of the fixture, which has produced iconic World Cup moments, but said England's focus remains squarely on the game itself. He described the historic context as largely irrelevant to his team's preparation, emphasizing a desire to simplify the message for his players as pressure mounts. Tuchel said he does not feel burdened by England's 60-year wait to return to a World Cup final, instead expressing excitement about his squad's competitive hunger.

In contrast, Tuchel suggested Argentina's team draws motivation from its shared history with England, including dramatic past encounters and the 1982 Falklands War. He noted the Argentine squad's cohesion, emotional style, and resilience, qualities he observed from having coached some of their players. However, Tuchel stated England would not use historical events...