England's Rio Ngumoha during the international friendly match at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Picture date: Saturday June 6, 2026.
England's Rio Ngumoha during the international friendly match at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Picture date: Saturday June 6, 2026.
England will play their final, meaningless game of the World Cup on Saturday, but Thomas Tuchel is already planning for the future – with Rio Ngumoha part of it.
Ngumoha made his England debut in their warmup friendly against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup, but then departed the squad before the tournament proper.
With England lacking unpredictability in the final third at times on their way to the semi-final – and certainly in their 2-1 loss to Argentina – it could be argued that the 17-year-old should have been involved.
But with Tuchel already planning for the next phase of his time in charge of England, the Telegraph‘s Mike McGrath reports that Ngumoha will feature prominently.
England's Rio Ngumoha and team-mates during a training session at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026.
England's Rio Ngumoha and team-mates during a training session at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026.
McGrath explains that after his time in Florida, “Ngumoha was given encouragement – including from senior England players – that he would be expected to be back in the squad in the future, such was the impression he made.”
Tuchel will “keep a close eye” on the winger’s start to the season under Andoni Iraola and it is likely he will be called up in September.
England take on Spain and Czechia in the UEFA Nations League to mark the first international break of the 2026/27 season – but first they face France on Friday night.
England's Jarell Quansah reacts after being shown a red card during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026.
England's Jarell Quansah reacts after being shown a red card during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026.
That clash in Miami – a third-placed playoff – is of little interesting even to those involved, but it does give England the opportunity to seal their best World Cup finish since winning it 1966.
They have reached the third-placed playoff on two other occasions – in 1990 and 2018 – but lost both, and a bronze finish would at least be a small piece of history.
Tuchel: “No regrets” over gutless Argentina approach
England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match at the Atlanta Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday July 15, 2026.
England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match at the Atlanta Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday July 15, 2026.
Speaking ahead of the 10pm kickoff, Tuchel insisted that he had “no regrets” over his conservative approach after taking the lead against Argentina in the semi-final.
“I believe that three other nations [in the semi-finals] have almost expectations to win the title. This is not us,” he told reporters including the Guardian‘s Ed Aarons.
“France, Spain, Argentina expect almost they’re on that level that they expect to win.
“We are not there yet. There is still a gap to close. This is what we will do from tomorrow. We will not stop.
“We will not stop hunting. We will not stop challenging. We have things to improve in a football matter.
“And this is the context. So there is not a lot of room for drama. If drama is needed, if the blame game needs to be played, OK, we can do that. But I have the right to not engage.”
European Soccer – UEFA Cup – FC Swarovski Tirol v Liverpool
Graeme Souness, Liverpool manager, 1991 (Picture by Ross Kinnaird EMPICS Sport) 1990s
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