England have been dealt a major World Cup setback, with Reece James facing the prospect of missing the rest of the tournament because of a hamstring injury. Sky Sports News reports the Chelsea captain will be sidelined until well into the knockout stages – meaning his involvement now hinges on how far England progress.
Here is the latest on the Reece James injury, why it leaves Thomas Tuchel with a serious selection headache, who could step in at right-back, and what it all means heading into England’s final group game.
How the injury happened
James was spotted signalling to the bench late in Tuesday’s goalless draw with Ghana, but could not be withdrawn because Tuchel had already used all five substitutions. It remains unclear whether being forced to play on worsened the problem.
He arrived at the tournament fully fit, but England’s two opening fixtures in the United States were the first time he had played back-to-back matches since March. James has not travelled with the squad to New Jersey for Saturday’s final Group L game against Panama. He is understood to be devastated, but has chosen to remain in camp rather than head home, determined to fight for fitness and the chance of minutes in the latter stages.
Why this is a real problem for Tuchel
The timing could hardly be worse. England’s designated back-up right-back, Tino Livramento, had already pulled out of the squad before the opening game – also with a hamstring issue. Tuchel responded by calling up a centre-back, James’ Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah, and now finds his right-back options looking thin.
Djed Spence is the most natural replacement, but he has been operating at left-back for Tottenham and was picked in this squad as cover for Nico O’Reilly on that side. Jarell Quansah, another centre-back, can fill in on the right, as can Ezri Konsa – though Konsa is currently first choice in the middle of the defence.
Who could replace Reece James at right-back?
| Player | Natural position | Right-back experience |
| Djed Spence | Left-back | Most minutes at RB last season (254) – but selected as LB cover |
| Jarell Quansah | Centre-back | Two RB starts for Liverpool in 2024/25; 90 mins at RB for England |
| Ezri Konsa | Centre-back | 90 mins at RB v Wales; first-choice in the middle this season |
| Trevoh Chalobah | Centre-back | Called up as cover; not a natural right-back |
The numbers underline the issue. Of the recognised options in camp, only Spence logged more than 200 minutes at right-back last season (254) – still under three full matches’ worth. The next-highest tally belongs to Declan Rice, but Mikel Arteta’s decision to deploy him there after a Ben White injury drew heavy criticism, and Rice is both central to England’s midfield and managing his own fitness.
Tuchel has pointed to Quansah as the next-best alternative, citing having seen him play there for Liverpool. In reality, Quansah started only two league games at right-back for Liverpool – both against Newcastle in 2024/25, neither won – before joining Bayer Leverkusen. He has, however, played 90 minutes at right-back for Tuchel’s England, in a 2-0 qualifying win over Albania last November once qualification was already assured. Konsa also has experience there, completing 90 minutes in a 3-0 friendly win over Wales in October, though he has not played a single minute at right-back for Aston Villa this season.
‘No one saw it coming’ – did Tuchel’s gamble backfire?
Tuchel insisted the injury was unforeseeable, stressing that James had reported to camp in good shape. He explained that calling up Chalobah was designed to free up Quansah for the right-back role, having been impressed by his displays there for Liverpool and his experience in a back three at Leverkusen. The manager was adamant England would find solutions, noting Konsa has also performed well at right-back for the national side.
Yet James’ fitness record arguably offered ample warning. Since 2019/20 he has played more than half of available Premier League minutes in only three seasons – two of them under Tuchel at Chelsea, in 2020/21 and 2021/22. The campaign just gone was the third, perhaps giving Tuchel hope he could lean on his first-choice right-back. But across the three preceding seasons James featured in just 26% of league minutes on average, and over that period he has been sidelined for a combined 812 days.
‘Square pegs in round holes’ – the criticism
Former England right-back Danny Mills was sharply critical of the defensive planning. Speaking on Sky Sports News, he said he could not understand the selection once Livramento was ruled out, and questioned the logic of calling up Chalobah at all.
Mills argued England had alternatives – suggesting John Stones could fill in, or that Kyle Walker, who played 36 Premier League games last season, could have served as a deputy. Without a recognised right-back, he warned, England are forcing players out of position at a tournament they could realistically win, leaving the side looking unbalanced against elite opponents such as Mbappé and Yamal.
Anderson and Rice could be rested against Panama
There is better news elsewhere. Elliot Anderson is still being assessed after a glute problem against Ghana, though it is not thought serious – a kick that caused a dead leg. Declan Rice, his midfield partner, did not train fully on Thursday but completed the whole session on Friday.
Although Tuchel says both are available, he is weighing whether to rest one or both against Panama to ensure they are fresh for the knockouts. With the right-back puzzle and one eye on the latter stages, he is expected to rotate his starting XI.
What it means for England’s World Cup
England have already secured their place in the last 32 following Friday night’s results. To guarantee top spot in Group L – and a theoretically smoother route – they must match or better Ghana’s result against Croatia on the final matchday. As things stand, finishing first would set up a last-32 meeting with Senegal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reece James out of the World Cup?
Not officially. He faces a long recovery from a hamstring injury and will be unavailable until well into the knockout stages, so his tournament is only likely to continue if England progress deep enough for him to return.
Who will replace Reece James at right-back for England?
Djed Spence is the most natural option, with Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa – both centre-backs – also able to fill in. Tuchel has indicated Quansah is among his preferred choices.
Why didn’t England call up a recognised right-back?
After back-up Tino Livramento withdrew with a hamstring injury, Tuchel called up centre-back Trevoh Chalobah to free up Quansah for right-back – a decision criticised by pundits including Danny Mills, who felt England were left without a natural option in the role.
Who do England play next?
England face Panama in their final Group L game, having already reached the last 32. Topping the group would currently line up a knockout tie against Senegal.
