Jump To:MoodSquadFixtures and resultsGroup L standingsStar playerMost likely to...Least likely to...What they hope...What will happenPredicted Starting XIPanama predicted XIPanama predictionCopy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDON'T MISS THE MATCHTV & Streaming Guide: How to watch England vs Panama on Saturday nightOpposition Scout: Check out the full Panama World Cup squad hereThomas Tuchel has made his major tournament debut the Three Lions first without Gareth Southgate since Euro 2016 with huge expectations on his shoulders. A famously street-wise Croatia team were comfortably dispatched 4-2, but a subborn, organised Ghana team frustrated England and caused them some scares on the counter. Up front, England have an enviable menu of talent to select from, but at the back things aren't are more limited as Tuchel searches for a settled back four. England were the first European nation to qualify for the World Cup and are one of the favourites but with several other nations also looking sharp, the Three Lions must put on a convincing display vs Panama who are ranked more than 20 places higher than Ghana in the FIFA World Rankings.England's squad is strong. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw and Lewis Hall all missed out at full-back, while Harry Maguire didn't make the plan either. Adam Wharton, Jarrod Bowen, Conor Gallagher, and Levi Colwill aren't there but Trevoh Chalobah earned a late call up, replacing the injured Tino Livramento.Ivan Toney was a surprise pick among the forwards, Jordan Henderson makes history playing at a seventh tournament with his country, and faith has been placed in the likes of Dan Burn, Noni Madueke and Jarrel Quansah who are all at their first international tournaments.Thomas Tuchel England ManagerIf you cant beat them, hire them. Fed up with being repeatedly dumped out of tournaments by Germany down the years, the FA appointed Bavarian Thomas Tuchel from January 2025. A Champions League winner with Chelsea, the 52-year-old has a reputation as a cunning-if-confrontational winner. Time to prove it. You may like England World Cup 2026 Squad: Thomas Tuchels team make final preperations ahead of final group game vs Panama with O'Reilly and Rashford in contention to start England World Cup 2026 fixtures: Dates, times, TV channels and how to watch When is England's World Cup squad announced? MoodThat belief has only strengthened following Englands perfect qualifying campaign: eight wins from eight, 22 goals scored, none conceded. The latter statistic makes them the only qualifier to reach the USA, Mexico and Canada without conceding even once a remarkable statistic, especially given Englands defence is arguably their weakest facet. Jordan Pickford may be jittery when making 15-yard passes around his own box, but a fifth major tournament is proof of the 32-year-old goalkeepers No.1 status.Tuchels defining tweak so far has been Elliot Andersons emergence as his midfield fulcrum. The Nottingham Forest anchor man made his debut in a 2-0 win against Andorra last September and has since nailed down his spot next to Declan Rice. Andersons positional awareness, workrate and tidy passing allow Rice to maraud, which gives the Three Lions greater balance at both ends of the pitch.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Tuchel also appears to have solved the great head scratcher over who to select as Englands No.10 Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden or Cole Palmer by, erm, playing Morgan Rogers instead. The decision may have been initially foisted upon him by injury, but its further evidence of Tuchels defiant streak and ability to find wily solutions that the former Lincoln loanee seems likely to keep the shirt.England are once again among the bookies favourites to lift the World Cup, despite a yawning 60-year gap since their last major mens success. Croatia, Ghana and Panama could prove tough assignments in the group stage, especially given the uncomfortable heat and humidity awaiting across the Atlantic. Forget the No.10 issue the factor 50 is much more relevant.Semi-finalists in 2018, quarter-finalists in 2022 and twice European runners-up it really is win or bust this time. What to read next When are England next playing? Thomas Tuchel's divisive England World Cup 2026 squad is match-fit but short on fresh legs How to watch England vs Ghana or FREE at World Cup 2026 SquadEngland World Cup 2026 squadGK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)GK: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)GK: James Trafford (Manchester City)DF: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)DF: Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City)DF: John Stones (Manchester City)DF: Marc Guehi (Manchester City)DF: Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)*DF: Dan Burn (Newcastle United)DF: Reece James (Chelsea)DF: Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)DF: Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)MF: Declan Rice (Arsenal)MF: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)MF: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)MF: Jordan Henderson (Brentford)MF: Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)MF: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)MF: Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)FW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)FW: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)FW: Marcus Rashford (Barcelona)FW: Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)FW: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)FW: Noni Madueke (Arsenal)FW: Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli)*Replaced the injured Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)What did Thomas Tuchel say after England's draw vs Ghana?On not losing belief:"The boys tried everything and again they played with the right energy. I know it's a very different game and, in this case, if one team tries to play and to run against this deep block and you don't find the spaces, it is difficult for you to create chances... It is not as exciting as two teams trying to win it in a more open game. We always try to entertain our fans. It was difficult today. I hope they don't lose belief. It is a long way to go." Dismissing the 'wake up' call narrative "No, we don't need a wake-up call. Everyone is alert, and everyone is fully committed... There was no overconfidence in our game, not at all. If anything, there was maybe in some moments a bit of overcautious play, but we were never overconfident."Its very important that the highs dont get too high and the lows get not too low, and today anyway is not a low. Its just a difficult match of football, which can happen any time." On the reliance on Harry Kane"I mean, does Argentina rely too heavily on Messi and France rely too heavily on Kylian Mbapp? It's just what it is. To rely on Harry, it's just a natural thing because he loves the responsibility and he takes it... We rely on Harry because we can, because he's our forward, but we don't over-rely on him."England results and next gamesEngland FixturesJune 27, 2026: Panama vs England, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, United StatesSeptember 26, 2026: England vs Spain, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandSeptember 29, 2026: Czech Republic vs England, Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech RepublicOctober 3, 2026: Croatia vs England, Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, CroatiaOctober 6, 2026: England vs Czech Republic, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandNovember 12, 2026: England vs Croatia, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandNovember 15, 2026: Spain vs England, Venue TBC, SpainEngland's World Cup kick-off timesSwipe to scroll horizontallyDateRoundFixtureUK Kick-Off Time (BST)Wednesday 17 JuneGroup StageEngland vs Croatia9:00pmTuesday 23 JuneGroup StageEngland vs Ghana9:00pmSaturday 27 JuneGroup StagePanama vs England10:00pmEngland resultsJune 23, 2026: England 0-0 Ghana, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, United StatesJune 17, 2026: England 4-2 Croatia, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United StatesJune 10, 2026: England 3-0 Costa Rica, Inter&Co Stadium Orlando, United StatesJune 6, 2026: England 1-0 New Zealand, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, United StatesMarch 31, 2026: England 0-1 Japan, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandMarch 27, 2026: England 1-1 Uruguay, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandNovember 16, 2025: Albania 0-2 England, Arena Kombetare, Tirana, AlbaniaNovember 13, 2025: England 2-0 Serbia, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandOctober 14, 2025: Latvia 0-5 England, Daugava Stadium, Riga, LatviaOctober 9, 2025: England 3-0 Wales, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandSeptember 9, 2025: Serbia 0-5 England, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, SerbiaSeptember 6, 2025: England 2-0 Andorra, Villa Park, Birmingham, EnglandJune 10, 2025: England 1-3 Senegal, City Ground, Nottingham, EnglandJune 7, 2025: Andorra 0-1 England, RCDE Stadium, Barcelona, SpainMarch 24, 2025: England 3-0 Latvia, City Ground, Nottingham, EnglandMarch 21, 2025: England 2-0 Albania, Wembley Stadium, London, EnglandGroup L standingsEngland are in Group L at World Cup 2026.England's star playerHarry KaneThe England skipper finally got his hands on the first trophy of his career last season, helping Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title with a superb 26 goals and 10 assists in 31 league appearances.Kane, who is ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now, has a massive part to play for England as he looks to tick off another major career milestone at next year's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.With 112 caps and 78 goals to his name already for the Three Lions, and will be hoping to boost both tallies as Tuchel's side aim for their first World Cup triumph since 1966.Most likely to happenGet completely carried away following a win over opening group-stage opponents Croatia in Texas. Flare, meet rectum this time, its definitely coming home.Least likely to happenGet arrested. Not a single England fan was banged up in Qatar, prompting cheap jokes from FIFA impresario Gianni Infantino, whose grovelling apology was deliciously withering.What they hope will happenAn honorary knighthood for confirmed Anglophile Tuchel after a nail-biting, penalty shootout win over his birth nation in New Jerseys final.What will happenThree skied penalties in a tearful semi-final shootout exit. Tuchel replaced by an English manager after a national inquiry.Predicted Starting XI vs PanamaEngland Predicted XI vs Panama (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, OReilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; KanePanama predicted XI(5-4-1) Mosquera; Murillo, Ramos, Crdoba, Andrade, Blackman; Rodrguez, Martnez, Harvey, Brcenas; FajardoEngland vs Panama PredictionFollowing a flat, frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana, Thomas Tuchel will demand a reaction from his players to secure top spot in Group L. Panama has already been eliminated after two tight 1-0 defeats, meaning they are playing purely for pride. While they are a more disciplined defensive unit than the team England famously routed 6-1 in 2018, the gulf in quality is just too wide.Tuchel will likely demand a more aggressive approach to avoid another dull stalemate against a low block. Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham will be tasked with injecting pace and verticality to break down Panama's predicted five-man defence.Harry Kane rarely stays quiet for long. After missing a close-range chance late in the Ghana game, he'll be desperate to get back on the scoresheet and keep up with Mbappe, Haaland and Messi in the race for the Golden Boot especially against an opponent he scored a hat-trick against in Russia.FourFourTwo's score prediction: England 3-0 Panama, Harry Kane to score twice.TOPICSHarry KaneJude BellinghamTrent Alexander-ArnoldDeclan RiceThomas TuchelBukayo SakaEnglandWorld Cup 2026Mark WhiteSocial Links NavigationContent EditorMark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robsons time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
