England defender Reece James is unlikely to feature in the upcoming World Cup knockout stages due to a persistent hamstring injury. The Chelsea player sat out of Friday’s training session in Kansas City, sticking to a solitary fitness routine instead of joining his teammates. This setback raises questions regarding Thomas Tuchel’s decision to bring limited full-back depth to the tournament, with options like Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, and Ezri Konsa now under consideration.
Conversely, there is positive news regarding Declan Rice. After missing Thursday’s session with a calf issue, the Arsenal midfielder rejoined the squad on Friday and is expected to be fit for the final group match against Panama. However, Tuchel must decide if he wants to start Rice, who is one booking away from a suspension for the round of 32.
Elsewhere, Panama’s preparations for the match were marked by a physical scuffle between teammates Cecilio Waterman and José Luis Rodríguez. Despite the tension, Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen dismissed the incident as a sign that his players remain competitive and hungry for a spot in the starting lineup.
