Thomas Tuchel wants to make history with England

Thomas Tuchel is just one match away from achieving a feat that no manager has accomplished in nearly half a century at the FIFA World Cup.

The German coach could become the fourth manager in history to reach a World Cup final while leading a national team other than that of his country of origin.

To achieve it, England must defeat Argentina in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup and secure its place in the title match.

A feat not achieved since 2018

The last time a manager led a national team other than that of his country of birth to a World Cup final came at Russia 2018.

Zlatko Dalić, who was born in Livno, in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, led Croatia to the title match after a historic run in the tournament.

The Croatian side defeated Denmark and Russia in penalty shootouts before overcoming England in the semifinals. However, Croatia ultimately suffered a 4-2 defeat against France in the final.

Since then, no manager born outside the country he represents has managed to reach another World Cup final. Thomas Tuchel is looking to end that wait and become the fourth coach to achieve the feat.

George Raynor was the first to achieve it

Before Happel, Englishman George Raynor became the first manager to reach a World Cup final with a foreign national team.

Raynor coached Sweden at the 1958 World Cup, which was held on Swedish soil, and led the Scandinavian side to the championship match.

Sweden ultimately suffered a 5-2 defeat against Pelé’s Brazil, but Raynor’s run remains one of the greatest achievements by a foreign manager in the history of the tournament.

No foreign manager has won the World Cup

The record could become even more significant if England not only reaches the final but also lifts the trophy.

So far, no national team has won a World Cup under a manager born in another country. Every world champion has been coached by a manager of the same nationality.

For that reason, Tuchel is not only trying to end a wait of nearly 50 years. The German coach could also become the first foreign manager to win the FIFA World Cup.

Does Argentina stand between Tuchel and history?

The final obstacle before the title match will be Argentina, the reigning world champion and one of the most experienced teams in the tournament.

England must overcome La Albiceleste to return to the final for the first time since 1966, when it won its only World Cup title.

For Tuchel, the semifinal represents an opportunity to place his name alongside George Raynor, Ernst Happel and Zlatko Dalić, and become the fourth manager to lead a national team other than that of his country of birth to a World Cup final.