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  1. Why it's time for Saka and Rashfordpublished at 11:24 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker on BBC One

    Probably the biggest call for Tuchel is what he does with his wingers.

    I didn't think Anthony Gordon or Noni Madueke were positive enough against Ghana. By that I mean they didn't attack their defender enough when we got the ball out to them out wide.

    Their crossing was really poor as well, and often it didn't beat the first man. Our delivery from set-pieces was not great either, but in open play the service from the wingers was pretty much non-existent.

    That's why I think Tuchel will change it up, and Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have definitely done enough when they have come on in both games to get a chance to start.

    Saka's fitness is surely the only reason he hasn't started either game so far, but if he's ready this time then he would come in on the right, with Rashford on the left.

    What I want to see from both of them is more energy and to be more direct in one against one situations by trying to go past players.

    There also needs to be more forward passing rather than taking the easy option by going sideways or backwards.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:19 BST 27 June

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    Can't keep playing Gordon and Madueke give the pairing of Rashford and Saka a go.

    Mark

  3. Assessing Tuchel's optionspublished at 11:15 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Will Thomas Tuchel make changes in wide areas against Panama?

    We compared the performance of his respective wingers from last season.

    Table showing England's wingers in 2025/26Image source, Getty Images
  4. Tuchel on England's left-sided conundrum and preparing for Panamapublished at 11:11 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Marcus Rashford is vying for a starting berth in Thomas Tuchel's England team, having made a positive impact as a substitute in the first two matches of the World Cup, and scoring against Croatia.

    Tuchel says the fluidity of his left-hand side has not been what it was prior to the tournament, and he is working to solve this issue.

    "The whole left side struggled a little bit," he said.

    "They played so well in the game before the World Cup, against Costa Rica and we thought the left side was solved. Nico (O'Reilly) and Declan (Rice) and Anthony (Gordon) played with so much freedom and so much connection between them. They struggled in these two matches. Not so sure exactly why. The left unit is struggling to have the same impact as previous games.

    "You grow into a tournament. You have to overcome a bit of individual adversity. It is a test of trust and a test of belief. There is no need to take them out and punish them. We have every right to trust them again but other players are pushing so let's see."

    Want to hear more from Thomas Tuchel?

    BBC Sport's Kelly Somers sat down with England boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of England v Panama. Watch below.

  5. Postpublished at 11:10 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Humble words from Marc Guehi, who will be hoping to start his second consecutive match for England on Saturday.

    Thomas Tuchel has some selection headaches going into the match against Panama, having made two changes to his starting XI for the draw with Ghana.

  6. 'Every single day is a dream'published at 11:02 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Marc GuehiImage source, Getty Images

    England defender Marc Guehi, who is playing at his first World Cup, was asked about his journey from a young age and any advice he would give to aspiring youngsters: "I wouldn't say it was a dream come true because to be honest, I never expected to be in this position. Every single day is a dream. More than a dream.

    "To be in this position is a lot of responsibility. I have a lot of responsibility, not just to myself and my family but for those around the world who have this dream and want to achieve something that I want to achieve. Looking out, it is important that they know it is more than possible.

    "If I am here, they have even more of a chance to be here and do far more than I ever will."

  7. 'We want to improve from Ghana match'published at 10:56 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England

    Marc GuehiImage source, Getty Images

    England defender Marc Guehi on the challenge of facing Panama: "I think we just have to stay focused on ourselves and it doesn't really matter whether the Panama are still in the competition or not, I think their goal is always the same. To do as well as possible and do their country proud.

    "For us, it is to try and improve on the things from the last game. It will be a similar game but if we can do that, I think it will be a real positive."

  8. Postpublished at 10:54 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Joining Thomas Tuchel for England's pre-match news conference was Manchester City's Marc Guehi.

    The defender didn't feature in the Three Lions' opener against Croatia but was reinstated to the starting XI for the draw with Ghana.

  9. Henderson on the brink of England historypublished at 10:49 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Beau Brown
    BBC Sport

    If Thomas Tuchel decides to do a Norway and rotate his squad, Jordan Henderson could make English history.

    If Henderson makes it on to the pitch at this World Cup, he’ll become the first-ever England player to play at four World Cups.

    Henderson was first picked by Roy Hodgson in 2014 for the World Cup in Brazil and also played in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

    Henderson is just 10 caps from a century and has made 11 appearances across the three most recent World Cups, captaining the side in 2016 under then newly appointed Gareth Southgate.

    Whether it be Hodgson, Southgate or current boss Thomas Tuchel, Henderson has been the one constant in the rise of the England side since a dreary group stage exit 12 years ago in Brazil.

    Jordan HendersonImage source, Getty Images
  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:44 BST 27 June

    Submit your views at the top of this page

    The pathway to the final looks no easier whether we finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd, so keep Saka wrapped in cotton wool for another game, and rest Rice, Anderson and Bellingham. A midfield of Mainoo, Henderson, Rogers more than good enough for Panama.

    Jim

  11. Tuchel asked for his view on new World Cup formatpublished at 10:41 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking at his pre-Panama news conference about the new expanded format of the World Cup: "It is what it is. I don't reflect on it in a way that I like it more or less. It is the format. We knew about it, we make the best out of it.

    "I think every coach and player would like to play quicker once the tournament starts, to get everything more condensed but it is just not the reality with the amount of teams that participate and that's just what it is. It is a big chance, opportunity for teams who have the chance to qualify and have a better chance to qualify. We have to respect that and honour that. It is a massive thing for them.

    "We are spoiled because our nations are regularly part of a tournament and the big nations compete every four years, but for smaller countries, underdog countries, they can take this opportunity, and that's what the format is. We adapt. We have had a good camp so far. It is very demanding, but that is what it is."

  12. Postpublished at 10:41 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England and Ghana have both already reached the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, but Croatia could yet join them from Group L, depending on how other results pan out and how well they do against Ghana on Saturday.

    England manager Thomas Tuchel says that the new format of the competition allows for smaller nations to have special moments - this was demonstrated by Cape Verde's historic draw with Saudi Arabia.

  13. Will Saka start against Panama?published at 10:34 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Thomas Tuchel, when asked about the prospect of Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford coming into his starting XI to face Panama: "Yeah, everyone can start. That's the type of players we have in camp. They are all regular starters and key players for their clubs in every position. The difficult thing for us is we cannot start everyone, every match, so they have to be ready and fulfil a new role. Everyone does to the highest level.

    "We agreed with Bukayo and the medical department and Arsenal that this is the way to build him up. He is now fully free of pain, fully free of discomfort and is ready to go and ready to start, like Marcus, like Anthony (Gordon), like Noni (Madueke).

    "We have a lot of options and they make it difficult for me to make a choice. We have a full choice tomorrow."

    Bukayo Saka in training for EnglandImage source, Getty Images
  14. Postpublished at 10:34 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Another topic of debate for England is the wide areas, with Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka both having positive impacts off the bench in the first two games of the World Cup.

    Thomas Tuchel was asked about this dilemma before Saturday's match.

  15. 'No one wants it more than me'published at 10:28 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England

    Thomas Tuchel and Declan RiceImage source, Getty Images

    Thomas Tuchel was asked in his news conference about the experience of managing England despite being from a different nation: "The biggest con is I don't have an English passport but that's maybe it. That was clear from the beginning, I love to be the England coach and I was never shy about that. I have huge affection for the country and for the people in the country and the way they approach football and sports in general.

    "I fell in love with the country and the Premier League. That was a dream, to work there. Now to have the chance to work with these kind of players is an amazing opportunity and I am very grateful for it. No one wants it more than me.

    "It has nothing to do with my passport. I feel a connection to the players, I feel a connection to the country and that was maybe the most important. The people who gave me the responsibility felt that connection and from there we go."

  16. 'They can play the role of an underdog' - Tuchel on Panamapublished at 10:24 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking about facing Panama in the last group-stage match: "It is a difficult match against a team that is so difficult to break down. They hardly allow any chances. They allowed two shots on target against Croatia. You see a well-coached, well-drilled team. A coach who has been there five or six years. They have a clear identity, are in the world rankings on the same level as Wales and Serbia. It's not the most famous, or well-known football nation but they are strong.

    "They can play in the role of an underdog, can play without any pressure so that's 'what we expect. It is a complex game and expect them to defend in a deep block, so we have to break it down. But we also see high press against our goal kicks, against our goalkeeper. It is a complex one. We are in the role of the favourites and we have to do some things better, details better than against Ghana, but it is another challenge and we need another top performance to be able to win."

    Panama fansImage source, EPA
  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:20 BST 27 June

    Submit your views at the top of this page

    Djed Spence is a decent right back. Everyone banging on about him and a right-footed player on the left not working against Ghana. I think tonight will be his moment. I hope Mainoo plays too, he’ll take a few risks, which is what England need in a game like this.

    Robbo

  18. 'I am happy because I selected the squad'published at 10:16 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking at his pre-Panama news conference about his options: "Yes I am, because I selected the team. We are happy. We are happy with the characteristics of the players and the strengths that they give us. Elliot Anderson was in full training today and Declan Rice was in full training today. They felt, both they had minor issues after the match. Everyone except Reece James is available and ready to go. We will take the decision tonight.

    "We have hopes for the next match (for Reece James). It may be a tight one but he didn't travel with us."

  19. 'We will find solutions' - Tuchel on right-back dilemmapublished at 10:11 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel says he will find a way to deal with the loss of Reece James, who is out injured for the match against Panama on Saturday: "Reece has a minor hamstring issue, a minor hamstring injury. He was not able to train the last two days. He is now in an accelerated rehabilitation programme and we take it game by game but we strongly believe he will be available for us in the tournament.

    Speaking on the call-up of Trevoh Chalobah to replace the injured Tino Livramento, despite the Chelsea man not being a natural right-back, Tuchel said: "The thinking, we called Trevoh Chalobah up to free up Jarrel Quansah on the right full-back position. I saw him very strong playing that position for Liverpool and he played in a back three which is not so far away from that position, for Leverkusen. And we have Djed Spence. No one could see that coming. Reece was in good shape and felt very good. It is unlucky. Ezri Konsa has played that position for us as well on a high level, still no problem.

    "Reece is a key player; we would love to have him available. We will find solutions, that's what we do. It is a short period of time, it is a tournament, that is what we will do."

    Reece JamesImage source, Getty Images
  20. get involved

    Get Involved - Will Tuchel ring the changes?published at 10:06 BST 27 June

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    If England had beaten Ghana, Thomas Tuchel may have been more liberal with making wholesale changes to his side for Saturday's match against Panama.

    As it stands, though, the Three Lions need a victory to eliminate any doubt of them finishing top of the group.

    With this in mind, how many changes do you think Tuchel will make on Saturday? Get involved and let us know.