For now, Tuchel can still count on his captain, Kane.
The Bayern Munich forward will be 36 by the next World Cup, yet he shows no sign of stepping away from England duty.
Kane—who netted six times this tournament but was an unused substitute against France—told the BBC this was among the best England groups he has ever been part of.
He spoke of a special bond visible around the hotel, on the training pitch, and in the dressing room, with a shared belief running through the squad.
On Tuchel, Kane added that it was the manager’s first major finals, and he has absorbed a lot about the squad, the campaign, the travel, the matches, and the demands of pressure.
A sore point, sharpened by the win over France, was Tuchel’s choice not to bring on Bukayo Saka against Argentina.
The Arsenal winger, who didn’t feature in the semi-final, struck a hat-trick on Saturday versus Les Bleus—and later said he’s fully fit after earlier injury concerns during the North American leg of the tournament.
Saka told BBC One he would have loved more minutes, but that discussion is in the past; he prefers to speak on the pitch, it’s done, time to move on—and he’s fit.
Addressing noise around the manager, he said that’s part of football; it’s about how you respond, using it as fuel, and today they finished strongly—exactly what they could control.
England’s winding World Cup 2026 journey ends with a bittersweet twist: a thrilling victory in the match nobody craves.
How this campaign is ultimately remembered may only be clear once this team produces its next chapters.