Index  ›  world  ›  BBC
world · BBC ↗

Thomas Tuchel 'worried' about England right-back situation after Jarell Quansah injury

BBC Published Jun 28, 2026 Reviewed Jun 30, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
Citation-ready fact
England won 2-0 over Panama in New Jersey, clinching top spot in Group L.
2 goals · England vs Panama0 goals · England vs Panama
View source ↗
Citation-ready fact
The first knockout game is scheduled for Wednesday at 17:00 BST.
17 hours · match
View source ↗
Citation-ready fact
Ezri Konsa has started all three of England's games at centre-back.
3 games · England's games
View source ↗
Citation-ready fact
The last-32 match is just four days away.
4 days · match
View source ↗

Thomas Tuchel says he is worried about England's right-back crisis before their World Cup last-32 tie after Jarell Quansah became the latest in the position to suffer injury.

Quansah started in place of the injured Reece James in the 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey, that clinched top spot in Group L, but limped off in the second half and went straight down the tunnel for treatment.

The injury leaves Tuchel facing a major dilemma heading into their first knockout game in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST).

James is a major doubt for the game with a hamstring injury and, with right-back Tino Livramento being forced to leave the squad with a calf issue, Tuchel's only options at right-back appear to be Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa, who has started all three of England's games at centre-back.

When Livramento pulled out of the World Cup squad, Tuchel opted to call-up centre-back Trevoh Chalobah rather than including a replacement right-back such as Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Tuchel said it was too early to assess the severity of Quansah's injury immediately after the game but, given the last-32 match is just four days away, the Bayer Leverkusen defender's availability is uncertain.

"A classic ankle twist and he is in pain," Tuchel said of Quansah's injury. "He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.

"Naturally of course [I am worried about the right-back situation] - we have another injury in the position.

"It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do."

This article was originally published by BBC ↗. citations.press indexes the source-backed facts above and links to the original. Something wrong? Corrections policy · Report an error