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28 June 2026
Tuchel defends his wing choices after James' injury
England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his wing choices after confirming that Reece James will miss the game against Panama through injury. Tuchel explained that he expects to have James available for the next round.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his selection policy for wingers after confirming that Reece James will miss Saturday's (10pm BST) World Cup match against Panama. As revealed by BBC Sport this week, James underwent assessment by national team doctors following the 0-0 draw against Ghana on Tuesday due to a muscle problem. Tuchel confirmed that the Chelsea right-back did not join the squad in New Jersey, where he is for the match against Panama, due to injury. However, he added that there is a possibility that James could be available for the round of 16 match, should England qualify. According to the BBC, however, James is considered doubtful for the start of the elimination phase. James' injury - and the calf injury that forced Tino Livramento to return to his homeland - has raised doubts about Tuchel's choice to call up only three pure full-backs for the World Cup. Djed Spence, James and Livramento were the only full-backs called up. Nico O'Reilly, who played at left back for Manchester City last season, is also on the list, but has been trained as a midfielder. Dan Burn instead played as a left back, but is recognized as a central defender. Spence and central defenders Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa can also be used as full-backs. Despite this, Tuchel said: "Yes, I am satisfied with the options available to me at right-back. I chose the squad, so I am very satisfied with the characteristics and strengths of the players I have chosen. We would like to have all the key players available, but it is not possible, so we have to find solutions. It's a tournament, we move on." James and Livramento, in particular, have had careers marked by several injuries, and Tuchel's decision to take them both to the World Cup could be called into question. However, the manager is confident that James will be able to return to play in the tournament, should England progress. "It's a small muscle problem, he hasn't been able to train in the last two days," explained Tuchel. "He is now following an accelerated recovery program and we are evaluating him from match to match, but we are confident that he will be able to be available again during the tournament." There is also good news regarding Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, who according to Tuchel will all be available for the match against Panama. Rice (calf injury) and Anderson (muscle injury) did not participate in Thursday's practice but returned to practice Friday. Tuchel confirmed that Saka is ready to start, after being used on a precautionary basis in the first two matches of the tournament due to a tendon problem.
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