What prompted Fifa to change photographer guidelines during anthems?

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Fifa Adjusted Photographer Guidelines Following Coach Thomas Tuchel's Complaint

Fifa has reportedly modified its guidelines regarding photographer positioning during national anthems after England coach Thomas Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction with the close proximity of photographers during a World Cup match. Tuchel stated that the photographers' presence disrupted his experience and prevented him from seeing his team. Following his complaint, Fifa has introduced new measures to address these concerns.
Coach Tuchel's Experience During National Anthems

During the World Cup match against Croatia in Texas on June 17, 2026, Thomas Tuchel found the experience of the national anthem to be diminished by the presence of photographers. He described being surrounded by a "wall of 50 photographers half a metre away," which obstructed his view of the players. Tuchel conveyed that this close proximity "ruined a little bit my experience" of what he considered a "very, very special moment."
Tuchel's Plea to Fifa

In response to his experience, Thomas Tuchel directly appealed to Fifa to alter the photographers' placement during the national anthem ceremonies. He specifically requested a change, stating, "I am begging Fifa to change the position of the photographers for the national anthem because I could not see my team in the national anthem." His aim was to ensure that coaches could fully appreciate this pre-match ritual without visual obstruction.
Fifa's Reported Guideline Adjustments

In response to Tuchel's complaint and to prevent similar incidents, Fifa has reportedly made adjustments to its guidelines. Reports indicate that coaches will now be offered the option to position themselves either to the left or right of the photographers during the pre-match anthem ceremony. Furthermore, photographers are said to be grouped closer to the halfway line for matches deemed "affected," suggesting a broader implementation of these revised protocols for the tournament.

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What prompted Fifa to change photographer guidelines during anthems?

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