England national football team will assess the fitness of Reece James and Declan Rice before their final World Cup group game against Panama. The assessment comes after Rice limped out of the Boston Stadium with heavy strapping on his left calf following England's goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday.

What happened?

Rice, 27, was taken off in the game against Croatia with nerve pain in a sore hamstring he has been managing. Sources indicate no major concern over the injury's long-term impact.

Why it matters for England national football team

The Arsenal midfielder's availability for the Panama match on Saturday is uncertain, with manager Thomas Tuchel and his staff needing to weigh up the risks of playing him.

What comes next?

James will also require assessment as England approach Saturday's match in New Jersey. The 26-year-old completed the full game against Ghana but will be checked by medics over the next 24 hours.

| Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Last result | England 4-2 Croatia (2026-06-17) | | Next fixture | vs Panama (away, 2026-06-27) | England national football team's fitness concerns come at a crucial time, with the Panama match looming. The team's performance will be closely watched, especially after the recent win against Croatia.