Thomas Tuchel makes England World Cup plea to parents: ‘Write an excuse for school’

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The Independent

1 July 2026

England

manager

Thomas Tuchel

opted for sleep over watching his next

World Cup 2026

opponents as the co-hosts swatted aside Ecuador to advance to the last 16.

Early bedtime for the

Three Lions

boss ahead of a dramatic,

come-from-behind 2-1 win over Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 32

, Tuchel will now study El Tri before their date with destiny at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday night.

With a kick-off time at 1am BST on Monday, parents back home will face a dilemma, particular before a school day.

But with

Harry Kane

, fresh from a double against DR Congo, Tuchel is adamant that kids back home should be allowed a late night, having opted against a late night on Tuesday himself, after a one-hour delay due to adverse weather around Mexico City.

"I was happy to watch the first half and then it wasn't on, and I slept at 10 o'clock," Tuchel told reporters after England's win. "Very unusual for me, but I have somehow a crazy early bedtime during this

World Cup

and I ⁠didn't see it. I saw the result, of course, and I saw that they didn't concede, and it will be a tough one."

Tuchel then sent a message to parents with kids likely to be excited to stay up and watch the

: "Write an excuse for school.Let them watch football.

"There's so much school to go to, ⁠but the

is every four years. There will be a big, big match on in four days. We need the support of everyone, and especially of the children."

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