Barney Ronay's Guardian column examines the growing public affection for England head coach Thomas Tuchel during the 2026 World Cup, held in North America. The piece centres on a dressing-room video, viewed more than 40 million times, in which Declan Rice and John Stones stage a prank on Tuchel after England's last-16 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, capturing the coach's relaxed, joyful energy and the warmth it has generated among fans.

Ronay argues that a paradox sits at the heart of this England side: Tuchel is a rationalist and details man, yet the campaign has been driven largely by spirit, will and chemistry. He notes the familiar early rush of public affection previous England managers such as Sven-Göran Eriksson and Gareth Southgate enjoyed, and details how Tuchel's touchline style has been dissected online and even praised (if bafflingly) on Mumsnet. Attention now turns to a difficult quarter-final against Norway in Miami — a team ranked 19th to England's 4th, but one seemingly set up to exploit specific England weaknesses.