Thomas Tuchel has urged parents to allow England's schoolchildren to stay up late for the Three Lions' World Cup round-of-16 clash against Mexico, and then take the next day off. The German manager made the plea ahead of Monday's early morning kick-off, which is scheduled for 1am UK time.
Tuchel's Call for Support
Speaking to the media, Tuchel said: "Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. The World Cup is only every four years and we need everyone's support, especially the children." He emphasized the importance of national backing, even from the youngest fans, as England faces their toughest test yet against co-hosts Mexico.
England secured their spot in the last 16 after a dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo, with Harry Kane scoring twice to overturn an early deficit. The DR Congo side took the lead after just seven minutes, putting England on the brink of a humiliating early exit before Kane's intervention.
Formidable Opponents
Mexico presents a daunting challenge, having lost only two competitive matches at the Azteca Stadium in the last 56 years. Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty, stating: "We would have liked it to be less stressful, but if everyone gets what he likes, then everyone gets an early goal, and another goal, and an easy afternoon. That's not how it is." He praised his team's resilience against DR Congo, noting: "Their goalkeeper had unbelievable saves, so it got more and more difficult, but the reaction and the belief was one-of-a-kind."
Potential Quarter-Final
Should England progress past Mexico, they will face either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals, which would also kick off late on the following Saturday. Tuchel challenged his players to step up a gear, adding: "We kept knocking, knocking, knocking to crack that rock and to make it happen. Well deserved, by the way."
The match is set to be a significant test for Tuchel's squad, with fans across the country expected to tune in despite the early hour. The manager's comments have sparked debate about balancing education and national pride, but Tuchel remains focused on the team's performance.
