World Cup 2026: Thomas Tuchel contract subject to performance clause, says FA chief

Speaking at England’s World Cup media centre in Kansas City, Bullingham delivered a strong defence of the governing body’s decision to extend Tuchel’s contract before the tournament.

The FA has faced criticism for rewarding Tuchel with fresh terms without knowing the final outcome of his initial mission, given the 52-year-old’s target upon his appointment was to win England’s second World Cup.

But Bullingham said: “The reality is he’s a top-level manager who would be in demand and we knew we had someone who was doing a really good job and we can’t just expect someone to wait around and just leave it and see how you go.

“That’s not the reality of life in any profession. We have someone doing a really good job, we thought we could sign him up for two more years – it’s a home tournament (Euro 2028) where the pressure is even bigger and we have a manager who has been there and done it.”

Bullingham also made clear that the FA was keen to avoid the scenario of uncertainty over its manager’s future overshadowing the World Cup.

He said: “You never really want that hanging over you when you get into a tournament.”

Bullingham pointed out that anyone on a fixed-term contract would need to consider their future as such a deal neared its end.

“It was more about looking to 2028,” he added. “It’s a very important home tournament for us and we wanted the best chance to do the best we can and we felt we had a very good manager, so why not extend?

“They are two different projects. So the 2028 project, we want the best manager in place – we have signed him up. We are still looking at this World Cup to give ourselves the best possible chance and we said at the time we felt he gave us the best possible chance. We still feel that.

“If you look back at any tournament and you work back from it, you look at who is the best manager you want, when can he be available, when can you sign him up. I would argue it’s a bigger risk the other way.”