England boss Thomas Tuchel is worried about his options at right-back after Jarell Quansah’s injury.
An injury to Reece James means the Chelsea full-back, who is Tuchel’s first choice on the right of the defence, missed England’s win over Panama on Saturday, which saw the Three Lions through to the World Cup knockout stage as Group L winners.
With Tino Livramento having withdrawn from the squad earlier in the tournament, Quansah got the nod at right-back ahead of Djed Spence.
Yet Quansah limped off midway through the second half against Panama, with Spence coming on as his replacement.
And Tuchel admitted he is concerned over the right-back position ahead of England’s round of 32 clash with DR Congo on Wednesday.
“A classic ankle twist and he is in pain,” Tuchel said of Quansah’s injury.
“He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.
Panama 0-2 England
Not the most impressive performance from England overall, but it’s job done for the Three Lions.
Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane see Thomas Tuchel’s side secure top spot in Group L. pic.twitter.com/ZVibOvvj3s
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 27, 2026
“Naturally of course [I am worried] – we have another injury in the position.
“It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.”
England are unbeaten in the group stages in consecutive editions of the World Cup (W4 D2) for the first time since 2010 (three in a row).
They were largely lacklustre against Panama until Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, becoming the youngest England player on record (since 1966) to both score and assist in a World Cup match.
Harry Kane then headed in a second to surpass Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament (11 goals).
Should they beat DR Congo, England will take on Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16.