Thomas Tuchel criticizes referee Alireza Faghani after dramatic World Cup win over Mexico

England survived a wild afternoon at Estadio Azteca on July 5, beating Mexico 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16, but manager Thomas Tuchel wasn’t in a celebratory mood at the post-match press conference. Instead, he took aim at referee Alireza Faghani and the broader officiating apparatus, declaring that “the referees are just not good enough.”

A match that had everything, including controversy

The round of 16 fixture at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was dramatic even by World Cup knockout standards. Two penalties were awarded across the 90-plus minutes, one for each side, and England’s Jarrell Quansah was shown a red card that was reviewed by VAR before being upheld.

That sending-off forced England to play with ten men for much of the second half. England somehow turned it into a plot twist, grinding out the victory despite the numerical disadvantage.

The result sends England into the quarterfinals, where they’ll face Norway on July 11 at Miami Stadium.

Faghani’s controversial record

Alireza Faghani is no stranger to the biggest stages in football. The 2026 World Cup marks his fourth as a match official. Faghani has faced scrutiny in prior tournaments, and his handling of the England-Mexico fixture has only amplified those conversations. The decision to show Quansah a red card, even after VAR review, became the central flashpoint.

England’s gritty path forward

Tuchel, who took charge of England after a decorated club career managing the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, has clearly instilled a certain stubbornness in this squad. They don’t fold easily.

Quansah’s red card means he’ll almost certainly miss the Norway match through suspension. Losing a player at this stage of the tournament is a significant blow, and it’s one that traces directly back to the officiating decisions Tuchel was so vocal about. A refereeing call hasn’t just affected one match; it’s now shaping England’s squad availability for the next one.

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