World Cup 2026: England lose a key starter
Bad news for England in the middle of the 2026 World Cup. Reece James has suffered a hamstring injury and will be unavailable for the next two matches for the Three Lions, according to The Guardian.
The Chelsea defender will not take part in the final group stage match against Panama. He will also miss the round of 16, a crucial fixture for Thomas Tuchel's squad. Up to this point, James had been a mainstay for the team, playing the full 90 minutes in both opening games against Croatia and Ghana, underlining his importance on the right flank of the defense.
This absence now forces Thomas Tuchel to rethink his plans. Even though England remain well positioned to continue their run, losing such an experienced player could weigh heavily in the upcoming knockout stage encounters.