England HubEngland's right-back Reece James will miss at least two World Cup matches due to a hamstring injury.
What happened?
The Chelsea captain reported tightness after the 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. Thomas Tuchel confirmed James did not travel with the squad to New York for the final group phase game against Panama.
Impact on England
James has a history of problems with his hamstring and was out for nearly two months after hurting it playing for Chelsea against Newcastle on 14 March. Tuchel considers him his first-choice right-back and was relying on him at the World Cup.
Alternative options
Tuchel has other options at right-back, including Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence. He opted against calling up Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player he does not appear to trust.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | Croatia | 4-2 win |
England's recent form has been 2W-0D-2L, with their last result being a 4-2 win against Croatia on 2026-06-17. They are on a 2-game winning run and will look to continue this streak without James.
What comes next?
England will play Panama in their final group phase game on Saturday without James. Their next fixture after the group phase is against Spain on 2026-09-26. Tuchel hopes James will be available for the tournament, but for now, they will have to find solutions without him.
