England topped their group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the manner in which they did so has left as many questions as answers — particularly along the wide areas of the pitch where manager Thomas Tuchel is yet to find a settled combination.

Across three group-stage matches, England have used nine different full-back and winger pairings on both flanks, involving eight separate players. That level of rotation is not simply tactical experimentation — it is a sign that Tuchel has not yet identified what works best.

Injuries have forced Tuchel's hand

The absence of Reece James and Jarell Quansah at right-back, combined with Bukayo Saka not being fully fit, has contributed to the instability. But even accounting for those setbacks, England have failed to pose a sustained threat down either flank, and the constant shuffling of the back four has also undermined their defensive shape.

Whenever opponents have attacked England's defence, the team has looked uncomfortable — a concern that will need to be addressed before Wednesday's last-32 meeting with DR Congo in Atlanta.

The spine of the team has delivered

There are genuine reasons for optimism, though. Elliot Anderson delivered a standout performance against Panama, Jude Bellingham was the rightful man of the match in the same game, and Harry Kane continued his habit of finding the net.

Together with Jordan Pickford and Declan Rice, those players form the reliable core of this England side — the ones you can count on when the pressure rises. Bellingham's instinctive finish from Saka's corner against Panama illustrated that quality perfectly: it was not a great delivery, but he turned it into a goal through sheer strength, balance, and awareness.

How England attack from wide areas

One tactical adjustment that could pay dividends against DR Congo involves how England deliver the ball into the box. Against Panama, wingers Marcus Rashford and Saka were cutting inside and putting inswinging crosses in — deliveries that are easier for defenders to deal with.

England look considerably more dangerous when wide players stay out wide and whip outswinging crosses in, as Bellingham demonstrated for Kane's goal. That approach gives the striker time to read the delivery and attack the ball on the run — a much harder proposition for any defence to handle.

Defensive stability must improve

Defensively, England have been shaky in all three group games. They were poor in the first half against Croatia, and while they avoided punishment against Ghana and Panama, they were far from convincing and allowed both sides genuine chances.

As the tournament progresses and the quality of opposition rises, those lapses will be punished. England appear set to field yet another reshuffled back four against DR Congo, with Spence potentially coming in at right-back or Ezri Konsa shifting across from centre-back, possibly alongside John Stones and Marc Guehi.

Some of Tuchel's selection decisions have been forced by circumstance, but others represent a gamble — several of his chosen defenders carry a history of injury. Whatever combination he fields on Wednesday, England need it to hold firm. Reaching the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will demand that Tuchel stops rotating and locks down a settled defensive unit.