Panama vs England – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

England head to the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Saturday evening with their place in the World Cup round of 32 already confirmed, aiming to secure top spot in Group L with a win.

Thomas Tuchel’s side sit first in the standings on four points, level with Ghana on goal difference. Uruguay’s defeat by Spain on Saturday confirmed England’s progression before they had even kicked a ball in their group finale.

A victory over already-eliminated Panama would guarantee top spot, provided Ghana do not beat Croatia by two or more goals. Panama arrive having lost both group games 1–0, with no goals and no realistic route back into contention. The Canal Men play this fixture for pride alone.

Panama vs England – Match preview and team news

Team news

Panama

Thomas Christiansen has no fresh injury concerns but continues to work without his two most influential midfielders. Adalberto Carrasquilla has not featured at this World Cup due to an adductor injury and suffered a further setback in the build-up to the Croatia match. With nothing at stake, Christiansen has no reason to rush the 27-year-old back.

Captain Anibal Godoy — Panama’s all-time appearance record holder with 160 caps — has managed just one minute of regular action at this tournament through lack of match fitness and is unlikely to start here. Panama are expected to persist with their familiar 5-4-1 structure.

England

Tuchel has confirmed Reece James will miss the match through the hamstring injury he suffered against Ghana. Djed Spence fills in at right back. Declan Rice is also a significant doubt after missing Thursday’s training session at England’s Kansas City base, having left the Ghana draw with a strapping on his left calf.

With the round of 32 already secured, Tuchel has no reason to risk either player. Kobbie Mainoo is expected to replace Rice in central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson. Bukayo Saka is expected to start for the first time at this tournament after coming off the bench in both previous matches.

Form

Panama

Two losses and no goals — Panama’s group stage has been a study in defensive resilience without attacking reward. They held 62% of the ball against Ghana yet could not convert from 19 shots. Against Croatia, an Ante Budimir strike in the 54th minute proved decisive despite Panama’s efforts to stay competitive.

They have scored just two goals in their entire World Cup history across two appearances, and their inability to find the net from 1.86 xG across these two matches points to a structural problem in front of goal rather than simply poor luck.

England

England’s group stage has produced contrasting emotions. A vibrant 4–2 win over Croatia — Harry Kane scoring twice, Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham also on target — raised genuine optimism. The goalless draw with Ghana brought it sharply back to earth.

England dominated that game utterly, recording 78.8% possession and 2.09 xG in a performance that set an unwanted World Cup record for the highest possession figure without a goal in tournament history. Across both matches, they have registered 41 shots and 6.72 xG — the creation has not been the problem. A more clinical evening is overdue.

Predicted lineups

Panama predicted XI (5-4-1): Mosquera; Murillo, Córdoba, Ramos, Andrade, Blackman; Martínez, Harvey, Bárcenas, Rodríguez; Fajardo

England predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane

How to watch Panama vs England?

The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on ITV1 and ITVX.

Read more – 📈 World Cup Power Rankings: England tumble as Spain surge

See Also- FIFA World Cup 2026: Every team in the Round of 32 so far

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