England v Panama LIVE: Team news as Reece James injury sparks World Cup selection headache

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The Independent

·27 June 2026

England v Panama LIVE: Team news as Reece James injury sparks World Cup selection headache

Reece James has been ruled out of England v Panama and may be out of their last-32 match as well (Getty)

England’s end to the group stage of the World Cup may not be as straightforward as expected, as they take on Panama tonight.

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Although Thomas Tuchel’s side have already qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament, they have been hit by the news of an injury to Reece James, who will miss tonight’s Group L fixture.

In fact, the right back could be out of England’s last-32 game as well, but for Tuchel it is one problem at a time: first, he must decide how to proceed against Panama, who have nothing to lose in New Jersey after their elimination from the World Cup.

Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, and Trevoh Chalobah are all options to replace James here, while Declan Rice is expected to be fit in midfield after his own injury scare.