England will be without Reece James for at least their next two World Cup matches with the Chelsea captain ruled out with a hamstring injury.
James, who has overcome a string of injury issues in recent years, has started each of England’s opening games against Croatia and Ghana but complained of muscle tightness after the goalless draw against the latter in Boston on Tuesday.
James did not train with the rest of the squad back at their training base in Kansas City on Friday.
The Three Lions face Panama in their final group match on Saturday in New York.
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The Chelsea star will not be involved in that game with reports suggesting he will also sit out of the Three Lions last 32 match next week.
England will top Group L if they beat Panama on Saturday night, setting up a last 32 clash against an opponent still to be determined on Wednesday.
James, 26, has dealt with various serious injuries since establishing himself as first-choice right-back for club and country, missing 25 games with hamstring problems during the 2024-25 season.
The Londoner maintained his fitness for most of the 2025-26 season but did miss eight games with more hamstring issues from March onwards.
Who will replace Reece James in England team?
James is Thomas Tuchel’s first choice right-back with the German coach losing one back up option in Tino Livramento to injury just before the competition began.
Tuchel opted to call in Trevoh Chalobah to replace him – not a regular right-back but capable of filling in that role.
Ezri Konsa, who has started both games so far at centre-half, can also be moved out to the right, as can Jarell Quansah.
Tuchel also has the option of Djed Spence, a natural right-back who started at left-back in the Ghana game.