England has a problem. A very specific, very inconvenient problem on the right side of their defense.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 fixture against DR Congo approaching in early July in Atlanta, Thomas Tuchel is staring down an injury crisis at right-back that nobody in the camp would have scripted before the tournament started.
Reece James is a major doubt after missing training with a hamstring injury. Jarell Quansah limped off during the group-stage win over Panama with an ankle problem. And Tino Livramento had already been ruled out of the entire tournament with a calf issue before either of those setbacks landed. That is three right-back options, gone or going, before England has even played a knockout game.
How England got here
England wrapped up Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama, which should have been a clean, confidence-building result heading into the knockout rounds. Instead, Quansah’s ankle injury during that match turned the win bittersweet. He is now considered likely to miss the DR Congo fixture entirely.
