Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is concerned about England's dwindling options at right-back ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 fixture, after Jarell Quansah picked up an ankle injury during the 2-0 victory over Panama in New Jersey.

Quansah had stepped in for the already sidelined Reece James to help England clinch top spot in Group L, but he limped off in the second half and headed straight down the tunnel for treatment, deepening the selection headache for his manager.

A thin squad at right-back

England's problems at the position were already mounting before Quansah's setback. Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw from the squad entirely with a calf injury, and James remains a serious doubt for Wednesday's knockout encounter in Atlanta — kick-off at 17:00 BST.

With those three options either out or uncertain, Tuchel appears left with Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa — the latter having started all three of England's group-stage matches as a centre-back — as his remaining choices at right-back.

Notably, when Livramento left the squad, Tuchel chose to bring in centre-back Trevoh Chalobah rather than adding a natural right-back. That decision means Trent Alexander-Arnold — who had been available — was not called up as cover.

Tuchel's assessment

Speaking after the Panama win, Tuchel said it was too early to gauge the full extent of Quansah's injury, though the four-day turnaround before the last-32 game leaves little margin for recovery. The Bayer Leverkusen defender, he confirmed, had his leg elevated and packed in ice.