Djed Spence starts at right-back for England against DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32 today.
The Tottenham defender is drafted in by Thomas Tuchel after Reece James and Jarell Quansah were both ruled out of the knockout tie in Atlanta due to injury.
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Chelsea captain James also missed the final Group L fixture against Panama on Saturday with a hamstring issue, while Quansah limped off in the second half of that match with an ankle problem.
James has a history of injury and had started both of England’s first two games at the tournament.
Tuchel turns to Spence - who is in the squad primarily as a left-back and played there against Ghana - rather than shifting centre-back Ezri Konsa to the right and bringing John Stones back in the middle.
“A classic ankle twist and he is in pain,” Tuchel said of Quansah's injury. “He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.
“Naturally, of course [I am worried about the right-back situation]. We have another injury in the position. It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.”
In midfield, Declan Rice is back after he was handed a rest against Panama following a calf issue and suspension risk, and that sees Jude Bellingham - used as a No8 in Rice’s absence - shift up and return to the No10 role.
Tuchel has gone for Noni Madueke over Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka on the right wing and Marcus Rashford over Anthony Gordon on the left, in support of captain and striker Harry Kane.
England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Injured: James, Quansah
Time and date: 5pm BST on Wednesday July 1, 2026
Venue: Atlanta Stadium
How to watch: BBC One
