28 Jun 2026
World Cup 2026: What went wrong for Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay?
Uruguay was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after suffering a humiliating defeat against Spain. Let's analyze what went wrong in the path of Bielsa's team.
All News
27 June 2026 Updated: 28 June 2026
Reece James will miss England's next two matches at the 2026 World Cup
Reece James will miss England's next two matches at the 2026 World Cup due to a muscle injury, leaving the team struggling for defensive options.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has received more bad news: Reece James has been ruled out of the next two World Cup matches due to a hamstring injury. The Three Lions find themselves in a critical situation, with few specialist options available at right-back, as they prepare to face Panama in their final group match, The Guardian reports.
The Chelsea captain reported hamstring soreness after the goalless draw against Ghana in Boston and did not participate in Friday's training in Kansas City before the team left for New York for Saturday's match against Panama. James will therefore miss this match and is also expected to miss the round of 16 match should Tuchel's side advance, as medical staff are reluctant to take any risks due to the defender's history of hamstring problems.
The 26-year-old recently returned to action following a similar injury suffered while playing for Chelsea in March, which kept him out for almost two months. Despite fears over his fitness, Tuchel started James in both opening matches of the World Cup against Croatia and Ghana, playing the full ninety minutes in both cases.
England are already in trouble as Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury before the tournament. In response, Tuchel called up Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah. Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence are now among the available alternatives at right back. Tuchel's team planning will be under scrutiny. England are preparing to face a Panama team who are likely to defend deep, without the country's best creative right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, left at home. It's a difficult situation. Alexander-Arnold is a full-back capable of unlocking stubborn defensive blocks with world-class passes and crosses. Tuchel decided not to bring him and now has to rely on Spence, who is no match for Alexander-Arnold or the central defenders to cover the right-back role. Having Chalobah, Quansah or Konsa deployed wide offers defensive security, but little imagination in attack. Should England struggle to break through Panama's defence, questions over Tuchel's decision to leave out Alexander-Arnold will only increase. Elliot Anderson could also miss the game against Panama due to muscle soreness, not to complete a move to Manchester City.
Related Articles
Related Articles
28 Jun 2026
Japan faces Brazil, Sweden qualified for the round of 16 after a thrilling draw
Japan and Sweden advance from the round of 16 after a 1-1 draw, with Japan set to take on Brazil.
28 Jun 2026
Southampton Close To Signing Midfielder Dan Neil: West Ham Must React
Southampton are stepping up efforts to seal a deal for midfielder Dan Neil, who is a free agent after leaving Sunderland. West Ham are urged to act quickly to avoid losing him to a rival club.