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  1. Stones in, Konsa out? Pickford affected by uncertainty?published at 11:50 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker on BBC One

    I could also understand if Tuchel brought John Stones back in for Ezri Konsa. Although our main issue against Ghana was being unable to break them down, there were still some concerns defensively.

    In the two real attacks that Ghana had when they managed to get forward, one could have seen them win a penalty and the other one could have ended with Jordan Pickford getting a red card.

    We got away with it both times, but Tuchel has changed things in his defence and there is no doubt that there is some uncertainty back there.

    I don't know if that has affected Pickford too, but he has not looked assured so far as he normally does.

    In the first game, his distribution was pretty poor and then he got caught out against Ghana when he came rushing out, so maybe those changes did not help his situation either.

    Ezri Konsa tackles Ghana's Prince Kwabena AduImage source, Getty Images
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    Get Involved - 'Not calling up Alexander-Arnold seems unfathomable now'published at 11:46 BST

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    Not picking Trent seemed questionable at the time. Not calling him up when Livramento got injured seems unfathomable now.

    Jonathan

  3. Quansah to get the nod at right-back?published at 11:42 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Thomas Tuchel said in his pre-Panama news conference that he was happy with calling up Trevoh Chalobah in place of the injured Tino Livramento, because it freed Jarell Quansah as a full-back option.

    The England manager did also mention Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa for that position, but both of those have played for the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup at left-back and centre-back, respectively.

    With some rotation likely to be a factor in England's final group-stage match, could we see the Bayer Leverkusen and former Liverpool defender fill the space made vacant by Reece James' hamstring injury?

    And is it a case of bad planning or just par for the course in tournament football that England should have to rely on a makeshift full-back?

    Jarrell QuansahImage source, Getty Images
  4. get involved

    Get Involved - Who should start for England?published at 11:35 BST

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    Bellingham and Morgan Rogers to play together along with Eze. Saka must play. Henderson should not have been in the squad. Let’s go and play football!

    Mark, NW UK

  5. Alternative wide optionspublished at 11:30 BST

    Panama v England (Sat, 22:00 BST)

    Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.Image source, Getty Images

    Both Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers have played in the wide areas for Arsenal and Aston Villa, respectively, further adding to Thomas Tuchel's embarrassment when it comes to attacking options.

    Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are the names in the frame to challenge Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke for a place in the starting XI against Panama, but Tuchel could well go down another route for Saturday's game.

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    Get Involved - Who should start for England?published at 11:29 BST

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    Play Bellingham alongside Rice with Saka, Rogers and Rashford supporting Kane. Jude and Declan can take turns to push forward, confusing their defence. Stones and Guehi with O'Reilly and Spence. Pickford of course. Then await the six goals.

    Clive, Swindon

  7. Why it's time for Saka and Rashfordpublished at 11:24 BST

    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.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:19 BST

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

    Mark

  9. Assessing Tuchel's optionspublished at 11:15 BST

    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
  10. Tuchel on England's left-sided conundrum and preparing for Panamapublished at 11:11 BST

    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.

  11. Postpublished at 11:10 BST

    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.

  12. 'Every single day is a dream'published at 11:02 BST

    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."

  13. 'We want to improve from Ghana match'published at 10:56 BST

    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."

  14. Postpublished at 10:54 BST

    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.

  15. Henderson on the brink of England historypublished at 10:49 BST

    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
  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:44 BST

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    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

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

    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."

  18. Postpublished at 10:41 BST

    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.

  19. Will Saka start against Panama?published at 10:34 BST

    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
  20. Postpublished at 10:34 BST

    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.