England's backline remains a major concern for Thomas Tuchel. The team has given up just 0.87xG against Croatia and Ghana, but looked defensively exposed at times.

What's the problem?

England's defensive issues are a worry, especially with Reece James potentially out for the tournament due to a hamstring problem. The injury adds to England's concerns, with the team facing tougher tests in the World Cup knockouts.

Recent form

England's recent form has been mixed, with a 2-game winning run, but also some defensive lapses. | Date | Opponent | Result | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-17 | Croatia | 4-2 win |

What's next?

England's next fixture is against Spain on 2026-09-26. The team will need to iron out their defensive issues before then, with Thomas Tuchel facing a tough task to get his team ready for the knockout stages. England have a rich pool of attacking talent, but their defensive limitations are a concern. The team's ability to keep clean sheets will be crucial in the World Cup knockouts, with five of the last seven winners keeping five clean sheets in the tournament.

Key players

Thomas Tuchel will be relying on players like Harry Kane to make a difference in the World Cup knockouts. Kane's injury-time heroics against Croatia were a highlight of England's campaign so far. But the team's defensive issues are a worry, and Tuchel will need to find a solution before the knockout stages.

Current context

As of 27 Jun 2026, England are preparing for their next fixture against Spain. The team's recent form has been mixed, but they are on a 2-game winning run. | Category | Stat | | --- | --- | | Last result | England 4-2 Croatia (2026-06-17) | | Recent form | 2W-0D-2L (WWLL, most recent first) | | Next fixture | vs Spain (2026-09-26) |