Thomas Tuchel has plenty of crucial selection decisions to make for England’s last-16 meeting with Mexico at the World Cup.
The Three Lions had to fight back from going a goal down early to defeat DR Congo 2-1 in Wednesday’s dramatic round-of-32 clash in Atlanta, teeing up a huge showdown with the co-hosts at their high-altitude Mexico City fortress, the Estadio Azteca.
England started with Djed Spence at right-back against DR Congo with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both injured, with Declan Rice also having a stint there late in the game after Tuchel sent on Eberechi Eze in midfield.
Chelsea captain James also missed the final Group L fixture against Panama with a hamstring injury, a game in which replacement Quansah limped off with an ankle problem.
Quansah trained with the squad on Saturday and could start the game, while James trained alone in Mexico City.
On Saturday evening, Tuchel said: “You saw Jarell train. He trained today and is fully available.
“Reece can maybe make it onto the bench, but we need the last assessment from the doctors and the medical opinion [as to] whether this makes sense.”
Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford were both disappointing in starting wide roles against DR Congo, with substitutes Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon making an impact off the bench. Gordon assisted both of Harry Kane’s late goals.
Both Saka and Gordon could now start against Mexico, with captain Kane leading the line as usual after his latest heroics that saw him move past Pele on the list of all-time top World Cup finals scorers.
Jordan Pickford will remain in goal though will look to improve after beating beaten too easily at his near post for Brian Cipenga’s early goal for DR Congo, with Nico O’Reilly remaining at left-back.
Predicted England XI vs Mexico (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Doubts: James
Time and date: 1am BST on Monday July 6, 2026
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
How to watch: BBC One
