Thomas Tuchel has been forced into a change at right-back for England's meeting with Panama after Reece James was ruled out with a hamstring injury. James picked up the problem during the 0-0 draw with Ghana, missing training on 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 this hamstring issue has now disrupted his World Cup campaign.
Tuchel shuffles the pack
Jarell Quansah replaces James at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey this evening as the Three Lions shuffle their pack. Tuchel had lost the chance to fully rotate against Panama after England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana last time out. 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 had to be considered.
Midfield and attack changes
Midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson were both considered doubts, but Tuchel confirmed on Friday evening that both “had enough time to recover” and are available for the Panama game if called upon. Anderson starts here, but Rice has been rested, with Jude Bellingham moving back alongside the Manchester City-bound man. One area of change is out wide, where Bukayo Saka gets the nod. He 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. Marcus Rashford also starts off the left, with Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke dropped to the bench.
Defensive adjustments
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. However, Tuchel has plumped for Ezri Konsa, while Nico O'Reilly comes in for Djed Spence. The England XI is: Pickford; Quansah, Guehi, Konsa, O'Reilly; Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Rogers, Rashford; Kane. Substitutes: Henderson, Trafford, Stones, Chalobah, Burn, Spence, Rice, Henderson, Mainoo, Eze, Gordon, Watkins, Madueke, Toney. Injured: James.
Match details
Time and date: 10pm BST today, Saturday June 27, 2026. Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
