England XI vs Mexico: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup 2026 today | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel faces another dilemma with quarter-final place up for grabs at the Estadio Azteca

The Three Lions had to fight back from going a goal down early to defeat DR Congo 2-1 in Wednesday’s dramatic round-of-32 tie in Atlanta, teeing up a showdown with the co-hosts at their high-altitude Mexico City fortress, the Estadio Azteca.

England started with Djed Spence at right-back against DR Congo with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both injured, with Declan Rice also having a stint there late on after Tuchel sent on Arsenal team-mate Eberechi Eze in midfield while chasing the game.

Chelsea captain James also missed the final Group L fixture against Panama with a hamstring injury, a game in which replacement Quansah limped off with an ankle problem.

Quansah trained with the rest of the England squad in Mexico City on Saturday and could start in the round of 16, though James worked alone and remains a doubt.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Saturday evening, Tuchel said: “You saw Jarell train. He trained today and is fully available.

“Reece can maybe make it on to the bench, but we need the last assessment from the doctors and the medical opinion [as to] whether this makes sense.”

Tough shift: England star Declan Rice said he found his late right-back stint against DR Congo difficult

PA

Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford were both disappointing in starting wide roles against DR Congo, with substitutes Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon making an impact off the bench. Gordon assisted both of Harry Kane’s late goals.

Saka and Gordon could now start against Mexico, with Jude Bellingham at No10 and captain Kane leading the line as usual after his latest heroics that saw him move past the iconic Pele on the list of all-time top World Cup finals goalscorers.

Jordan Pickford will remain in goal though will look to improve after being beaten too easily at his near post for Brian Cipenga’s early goal for DR Congo, with Nico O’Reilly remaining at left-back and Rice resuming his midfield partnership with Elliot Anderson.

Predicted England XI vs Mexico (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Doubt: James