Thomas Tuchel will be forced into a change at right-back for England’s meeting with Panama after Reece James was ruled out. James picked up a hamstring injury during the 0-0 draw with Ghana, forcing him to miss training on both Thursday and Friday. He has not travelled with the squad and is considered a doubt for England’s last-32 match.
The Chelsea captain has a history of injury and a hamstring issue has now disrupted his World Cup. Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa are the likeliest candidates to stand in for James against Panama at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday.
Tuchel forced to reconsider rotation plans
Tuchel lost the chance to fully rotate against Panama after England were held to the goalless draw by Ghana. The England manager had been expected to completely freshen up his team if England were already confirmed as winners of Group L, but tonight’s clash in New York must now take on a new guise as positions to rotate in and where to change things up must be considered.
Midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson were both considered something of a doubt but Tuchel confirmed on Friday evening that both “had enough time to recover” and are available for the Panama game if called upon.
Wide options: Rashford and Saka pushing for starts
One area of change could be out wide, where Anthony Gordon has started on the left and Noni Madueke on the right in both of England’s first two matches. Marcus Rashford came off the bench and scored against Croatia, though, and could come in from the start. So could Bukayo Saka, who made an impact as a substitute in both games and has been managed carefully by England’s medical staff as they work him back to full fitness after the Achilles injury suffered in spring which saw him miss seven Arsenal games and the pain he had been suffering since.
Tuchel said after the Croatia game that they were working towards the Panama match in terms of Saka playing a full 90 minutes. His first start of the tournament, at least, could arrive at the MetLife Stadium.
Midfield and defensive decisions
In midfield, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo and Morgan Rogers are options to come in, but Tuchel may be minded to stick with Anderson, Jude Bellingham and Rice for a game England now need to win to finish as Group L winners. John Stones was replaced by Marc Guehi for the game against Ghana and while England did defend nervously at moments, they did also tally their first clean sheet. A decision needs to be made at left-back, where Nico O’Reilly and Djed Spence have a start each and both came off the bench in the game they did not start.
Predicted England XI vs Panama
England predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
Injured: James. Doubts: None. Time and date: 10pm BST on Saturday June 27, 2026. Venue: New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
