Blow for England! One of the defensive leaders sidelined for at least two World Cup 2026 matches
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
England defender Reece James will be unavailable for the team for at least the next two matches of the 2026 World Cup. According to The Guardian, the player has suffered a hamstring problem.
Details: The Chelsea player felt muscle discomfort after England's goalless draw against Ghana in Boston.
On Friday, James did not train with the squad in Kansas City. After that, the England team is set to travel to New York, where they will play their final group-stage match against Panama.
The defender will definitely miss the third group-stage game. In addition, he will also be sidelined for the round of 16, which is a major blow for the Three Lions ahead of the knockout phase.
This is a significant personnel setback for England, especially given the tournament’s demanding schedule. James is crucial not only in defense but also in driving attacks down the right flank, so the coaching staff will need to quickly find a replacement.
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