May 6 – Described as an ‘impossible job’, Thomas Tuchel’s position as England manager has been handed further jeopardy as this June’s international friendlies are set to clash with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup tournament.
England face a double-header against Andorra and Senegal on June 7 and 10 respectively — mere days before the inaugural expanded Club World Cup kicks off on American soil on June 14.
This scheduling nightmare leaves Tuchel managing players with club commitments, as stars from Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid could all be pulled in opposing directions.
With millions in prize money at stake, clubs are understandably keen to retrieve their prized assets from international duty, but Tuchel appears to be digging in his heels as his own 2026 World Cup preparation window rapidly shrinks.
Chelsea could be particularly hard-hit, potentially losing Cole Palmer, Reece James, Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke if Tuchel selects them for national duty. Meanwhile, two of England’s most valuable assets – Harry Kane at Bayern Munich and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid – face being caught in this high-stakes tug-of-war between club and country.
Speaking back in March, Tuchel telegraphed his reluctance to accommodate club managers’ wishes: “I take care of the players. We take care about the schedule. But it would be the wrong signal to tell players now ‘hey, you have tough [club] matches coming up so I rest you now’. We do what’s good for us.”
The German tactician added: “I experienced it many, many times in clubs that players from South American countries don’t even think about dropping one minute because they want to play for their country, they’re proud to play for their country. This is also something that we have to understand and accept. I always accepted it as a club manager.”
This scheduling collision creates the perfect storm for player burnout – two competitive internationals, followed by transatlantic travel, then immediate immersion into a tournament during the peak of an American summer.
With players and coaches already vocal about physical and mental exhaustion, this calendar congestion threatens to push elite performers beyond their breaking point.
For Tuchel, navigating these turbulent waters will require diplomatic finesse worthy of the Foreign Office – balancing England’s qualifying campaign against club relationships he may need to cultivate for future international windows. Welcome to the Impossible Job, Mr. Tuchel.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1746533131labto1746533131ofdlr1746533131owedi1746533131sni@r1746533131etsbe1746533131w.kci1746533131n1746533131