World Cup 2026: Jarell Quansah and Reece James miss England v DR Congo match
Right-backs Jarell Quansah and Reece James will miss England’s World Cup last 32 match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to injury.
The pair did not attend training on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s match in Atlanta (5pm BST), which was broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer.
England manager Thomas Tuchel could use Djed Spence again at right-back or play versatile Aston Villa player Ezri Konsa in the center of defence.
“They are getting closer,” Tuchel said of the missing couple. “Jarrell is a little bit ahead of Reece due to the nature of his injuries.
“But this time it was close to even making the match squad, so we have to make sure we have more games.
“That is the main focus and they will be ready very soon.”
Quansah suffered an ankle injury in England’s 2-0 final group game against Panama on Saturday and Spence replaced the Bayer Leverkusen defender.
The former Liverpool player had made his World Cup debut after Chelsea defender James was ruled out due to a knee injury in England’s second group match, a 0-0 draw with Ghana.
Tuchel had previously said James could be in contention for the DR Congo game but has now ruled him out.
Injuries at right-back have put Tuchel’s squad selection for this tournament under scrutiny, and there have been some doubts about whether the squad structure is balanced.
On the eve of England’s first match of the tournament, Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad due to a calf problem and Trevoh Chalobah was called up in his place.
Tuchel said Chalobah has been called up as a central defensive option, while Quansah and Spence will guard the full-back areas.
Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been overlooked. Due to his injury, he only played for Tuchel once and was not selected for the preparations for this tournament.
