Tuchel: England can cope without Reece James

Short overview
England head coach Thomas Tuchel believes his squad can handle Reece James' hamstring injury. He stated the injury is not serious and expects James to play again during the World Cup.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed confidence that his squad can manage without right-back Reece James, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Speaking ahead of England's final group stage match against Panama, Tuchel downplayed the severity of the issue.
Injury update
Tuchel confirmed that James sustained a hamstring injury during training. However, he described it as a minor setback rather than a major concern. "It's not a serious injury," Tuchel said. "We expect him to be available again during this World Cup."
Squad depth
The England manager emphasized that the squad has enough depth to compensate for James' absence. "We have a strong group of players who can step up," Tuchel added. "The team is well-prepared to adapt."
James has been a key figure in England's defense, but Tuchel's comments suggest the team will not alter its tactics significantly. The match against Panama is crucial for England to secure top spot in their group.
For more details on Tuchel's selection decisions, read our earlier report: Tuchel defends full-back selection after James injury.
More on these topics
Uefa set to drop Fifa boycott threat after assurances
Uefa is expected to lift its threat of boycotting Fifa competitions after receiving assurances that plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors will not be revived. The decision, to be discussed at Thursday's executive committee meeting, would allow the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland to proceed.

Graham Arnold signs six-month extension as Iraq head coach
Graham Arnold has signed a six-month contract extension with the Iraq Football Association, keeping him at the helm for the Gulf Cup and the 2025 AFC Asian Cup. Despite a four-year offer, Arnold chose a shorter term, citing mutual interests.
England Women U20s squad named amid Fifa boycott threat
England Women U20s head coach Lydia Bedford has named her 21-player squad for the Fifa U20s Women's World Cup in Poland, amid threats of a European boycott over the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal. The tournament runs from 5 to 27 September.

Senegal's Ndiaye: From Bundesliga Debut to World Cup Stage
Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, an 18-year-old midfielder, made his FIFA World Cup debut for Senegal in 2026 after a rapid rise from Bayern Munich's youth setup. His journey highlights a new generation of Senegalese talent poised to lead the national team.

