A high-stakes World Cup showdown has sparked a war of words between England manager Thomas Tuchel and the government over school attendance. In a move likely to delight parents, but raise eyebrows among educators, Tuchel called on children to be excused from school so they can watch the crucial match against Mexico.
Tuchel made his plea after England secured their place in the tournament with a late victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo. He urged parents to "write an excuse for school and let them watch football," arguing that "there's so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years." The England manager highlighted the importance of widespread support from children for what he described as a "big, big match."
However, Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith rejected Tuchel's suggestion. Speaking on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, she acknowledged the appeal of watching the match but prioritised learning. "I don't want to be a killjoy here, but I'll tell you what the biggest killjoy is – young people who then don't have the learning to be able to go on and do what they need to do in life," Baroness Smith stated, while also admitting she would be watching the game herself.
The unique timing of the match, kicking off at 1am BST on Monday morning, presents a logistical challenge for parents and educators. While schools and employers often accommodate later England matches during the day, the early hours introduce a new hurdle.
Amidst the differing views, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, suggested a potential compromise – a "flexible start" to Monday morning. He argued that such important events in the national calendar should be accessible to as many young people as possible, implying that a rigid school start time might not be in the best interest of all.
England's progression to face Mexico was hard-fought, with Harry Kane's late double salvaging the game against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The team now faces what is expected to be a difficult encounter at the iconic Azteca Stadium.