Reece James has been left out of England’s squad for Saturday’s final group match against Panama after another hamstring problem. The Chelsea defender will miss the game as England attempt to confirm top spot, with manager Thomas Tuchel facing a fresh fitness
Reece James knew the tournament rhythm was about to be tested the moment his hamstring flared again. The Chelsea defender has been left out of England’s squad for Saturday’s final group match against Panama, where a win would confirm top spot.
The worry is not just that James will miss the Panama game. It’s the timing. Thomas Tuchel had planned to rest him in New Jersey after James played 90 minutes in both England’s win over Croatia and the goalless draw with Ghana. Instead. the first-choice right back tweaked his hamstring and didn’t make training with the team at their base in Kansas City on Friday before they flew out to the east coast.
James, 26, believes this latest hamstring issue will not be a major problem for the remainder of the tournament. But Tuchel is set to be concerned. not least because the defender already missed six weeks towards the end of the Premier League season with another hamstring problem. England also have limited options in his specialist role, with a clear gap behind him in the pecking order.
With James unavailable, Jarell Quansah and Djed Spence are among the defenders who can deputise for the right-back position. England have already lost Tino Livramento to a calf problem. narrowing an already thin selection for a position that usually depends on sharpness and consistency—precisely the things injuries keep disrupting.
The match against Panama matters because it shapes where England go next. A win would take them to Atlanta for their Round of 32 game on Wednesday. If either Croatia or Ghana leapfrog England in the standings, England would instead play in Toronto on Thursday.
For now, the immediate focus is simple: England must manage without James for the Panama match and hope the squad can carry the momentum—because the fitness question that started in Kansas City now follows them into the knockouts.
Reece James England Panama World Cup Round of 32 hamstring injury Thomas Tuchel Chelsea Jarell Quansah Djed Spence Tino Livramento