Thomas Tuchel urges England to ‘be brave’ against Norway as FIFA offers no answers over Quansah ban

England head coach Thomas Tuchel watches training for the World Cup soccer tournament Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) England head coach Thomas Tuchel has urged his players to seize the opportunity and play without fear as the Three Lions prepare for their 2026 World Cup quarter-final against Norway, while revealing that he has received no explanation from FIFA over Jarell Quansah’s controversial two-match ban.Ahead of Saturday’s game at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Tuchel insisted England must approach the knockout tie with courage if they are to keep their World Cup dream alive. At the same time, the German admitted he remains in the dark about FIFA’s decision to extend Quansah’s suspension for the automatic one-match ban that usually follows a red card.According to Daily MailFIFA refused to explain why Quansah’s ban was increased to two matches despite inquiries from the publication.

Tuchel urges England to play without fear

England reached the quarter-finals after a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico, a game in which Tuchel’s side played the closing stages with 10 men after Quansah was sent off.Now facing Norway, whose campaign has been inspired by Erling Haaland, he wants his players to attack the challenge rather than be overwhelmed by its significance.“That’s the exciting part now,” Tuchel said.“But we have to let it go, we have to connect to our identity, connect to what makes us strong, be on the front foot and be brave. It’s the quarter-finals and the brave will have luck on their side.”“We can’t have any regrets when we play the quarter-finals, we have to go for it, that’s the most important thing.”The England manager also rejected suggestions that Norway were approaching the competition as underdogs despite facing one of the tournament favourites.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel watches the World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

After knocking out Brazil in the round of 16, Tuchel believes Ståle Solbakken’s side have every reason to believe they can progress.“They over performed but I think they know very well internally how good they are,” he said.“They know very well how much trouble they can cause any team. They did it. They knocked out a big nation on a big stage and there’s been nothing like a favorite since.”“Everyone plays to win the competition and has the right to dream. But I don’t feel that our players play with fear. I don’t feel the weight of the shirt.”

No explanation from FIFA regarding Quansah’s suspension

One of England’s biggest selection pains remains Quansah’s absence.The Bayer Leverkusen defender was sent off following a VAR review during England’s win over Mexico, with the suspension originally expected to result in a standard one-match suspension.Instead, FIFA handed down a two-match ban.

England international Jarell Quansah (26) leaves the field after receiving a red card during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Asked by the publication whether football’s governing body had provided any explanation for the additional penalty and whether his own criticism of the officiating after the Mexico game might have influenced events, Tuchel admitted he had heard nothing.“I had no explanation,” he said.The publication said FIFA declined to give a reason when asked to comment on the decision.The matter became even more contentious as the United States earlier in the tournament successfully secured a one-match ban for Folarin Balogun after FIFA invoked Article 27 of its disciplinary code to allow the forward to start against Belgium.However, England received no similar relief, so Quansah was unavailable for either the quarter-finals or the eventual semi-finals.

Mexico has now won firmly in the past

Despite the controversy surrounding the Mexico game, Tuchel said England had deliberately advanced from one of the most dramatic games of the tournament.The Three Lions were given 48 hours to recover from the physically demanding victory at altitude in Mexico City before returning to their training base in Kansas City, where attention immediately shifted to Norway.

England’s Kobbie Mainoo, left, Jordan Henderson, second from left, Harry Kane, and England’s Anthony Gordon, right, train for the World Cup soccer tournament Friday, June 26, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tuchel reflected on the conditions England overcame and likened the experience to one of the toughest away assignments in the Premier League.“Azteca and a match like that was really a full package experience,” he said.“We just had to find a way. That’s how we framed it with the team.”“If you need a picture of the Premier League, it’s January, it’s out at Sunderland or Leeds. It’s adversity. It’s not good weather. You don’t like the referee’s decision. Everything is bad.”“We found a way. But we can’t get carried away, we have to stop looking back now. That’s what the team and I will agree on – we’ll draw a line in the sand. It’s not Mexico anymore. It’s just about Norway.”Tuchel finished with a reminder of what remains at stake as England bid to reach the World Cup semi-finals.“Football and the World Cup are there to make countries and our fans dream, believe and excite them. That’s what it’s for and we want to take it one step further.”