In the unforgiving arithmetic of tournament football, England arrives at its World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo in Atlanta carrying the quiet weight of accumulated misfortune. Two right-backs — Reece James and Jarell Quansah — have fallen to injury in succession, exposing a positional fragility that predates the tournament itself. Manager Thomas Tuchel, who has spoken of trust and adaptation since taking the job in January 2025, must now ask unfamiliar players to fill a familiar void at the moment the stakes are highest.
England loses right-back duo Quansah and James for DR Congo World Cup clash
Find the solution, this is team sport.
Mark
Why does losing two right-backs hit England harder than it might another team?
Mimi
Because Tuchel's squad was already thin there. Livramento left before the tournament even started, and Alexander-Arnold wasn't brought at all. You're left with Spence, who's played three different positions in three games, and Konsa, who's a center-back being asked to shift over.
Mark
Is Konsa actually capable at right-back, or is this desperation?
Mimi
He's played it before and impressed. But there's a difference between a one-off performance against Brazil and starting a knockout match when you're not your team's first choice at the position.
Mark
What does Tuchel's tone tell you about how serious this is?
Mimi
He's being measured about it—says they're close to recovery, talks about trusting his players. But he also made a point of saying he'd love to have both of them available. That's code for: this isn't ideal, but we'll manage.
Mark
Could this have been prevented with different squad selection?
Mimi
That's the question everyone's asking. If you bring Alexander-Arnold or keep Livramento healthy, you have more options. Instead, Tuchel bet on depth that didn't materialize.
Mark
What happens if Spence or Konsa struggle against DR Congo?
Mimi
Then England's in real trouble in a knockout match. There's no margin for error, and you can't just swap in someone else at halftime if it's not working.
El Pulso
- England's right-back position has effectively collapsed in real time — James hurt against Ghana, Quansah hurt replacing him against Panama, and Livramento gone before the tournament even began.
- The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, left out of the squad entirely after playing for Tuchel only once, now reads less like a tactical choice and more like an open wound.
- Djed Spence, a utility player who has already shifted between left and right flank across the group stage, is the most likely emergency solution for Wednesday's knockout match.
- Ezri Konsa offers a more settled alternative — a Tuchel favourite whose debut at right-back under Southgate drew praise for containing Vinicius Jr. — giving the manager a trusted hand in an unfamiliar role.
- Tuchel has publicly refused to dwell on the setback, framing it as a problem to solve rather than a crisis to mourn, with both injured players described as close to return for future rounds.
In the unforgiving arithmetic of tournament football, England arrives at its World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo in Atlanta carrying the quiet weight of accumulated misfortune. Two right-backs — Reece James and Jarell Quansah — have fallen to injury in succession, exposing a positional fragility that predates the tournament itself. Manager Thomas Tuchel, who has spoken of trust and adaptation since taking the job in January 2025, must now ask unfamiliar players to fill a familiar void at the moment the stakes are highest.
England will face DR Congo on Wednesday in Atlanta without either of its recognised right-backs. Reece James suffered a hamstring injury during the goalless draw with Ghana, and Jarell Quansah — brought in to replace him — twisted his ankle in the 2-0 win over Panama that closed the group stage. Both missed training on Tuesday and are ruled out for the knockout match, though Thomas Tuchel indicated both are progressing and that Quansah's injury is the less severe of the two.
The situation lays bare a structural vulnerability in England's squad. Tino Livramento withdrew before the tournament with a calf problem, prompting the call-up of Trevoh Chalobah as cover. Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, was left out altogether — a consequence of his limited availability during Tuchel's tenure, having played for the manager only once before injury intervened and being absent from preparatory squads in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Tuchel's remaining options are Djed Spence, who has already played on both flanks during the group stage and came on at right-back in the final minutes against Panama, and Ezri Konsa, one of the manager's most trusted players since his appointment. The Aston Villa defender made his England debut at right-back under Gareth Southgate in 2024, earning particular praise for his handling of Vinicius Jr.
Publicly, Tuchel has chosen pragmatism over frustration. Acknowledging the losses, he turned quickly to the question of solutions, expressing confidence in whoever steps into the role and framing the challenge as a test of collective depth rather than individual absence. In a knockout match where a single error can end a campaign, the margin for that confidence to be vindicated is narrow.
England will take the field against DR Congo on Wednesday without two of its primary right-back options. Jarell Quansah and Reece James both sat out training on Tuesday, ruled out by injury for the World Cup knockout match in Atlanta. The absence forces manager Thomas Tuchel to improvise at a position where depth has already been tested.
Quansah twisted his ankle in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Panama, the final group game. He had only recently entered the side after James suffered a hamstring injury during England's goalless draw with Ghana the week before. Neither player will be available Wednesday, though Tuchel suggested both are progressing toward recovery. "They are getting close," he said, noting that Quansah's injury is slightly less severe than James's. Still, he emphasized the need to manage their return carefully, prioritizing their availability for future matches over rushing them back.
The injuries expose a vulnerability in England's squad construction that has drawn scrutiny since the tournament began. Tino Livramento, Newcastle's full-back, withdrew before the competition even started with a calf problem, forcing Tuchel to call up Trevoh Chalobah as defensive cover. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid's versatile defender, was left out of the squad entirely—a decision rooted in his limited availability during Tuchel's tenure since taking the job in January 2025. He played for the manager only once before injury sidelined him, and was not selected for preparatory squads leading into the World Cup.
Tuchel's options for Wednesday are constrained but not absent. Djed Spence, who has played multiple positions across England's group stage matches, remains available. The 25-year-old started at left-back against Ghana and came on at right-back against Panama, replacing the injured Quansah with ten minutes remaining. Alternatively, Ezri Konsa offers a different solution. The Aston Villa defender has become one of Tuchel's most trusted players since his appointment, a regular starter who has impressed the manager with his tactical discipline. Konsa made his England debut at right-back in 2024 under Gareth Southgate, earning praise for his performance against Brazil's Vinicius Jr., one of the tournament's most dangerous attacking threats.
Tuchel's public stance has been one of pragmatism. He acknowledged the frustration of losing two players but emphasized the need to move forward rather than dwell on the setback. "First of all, I trust my players," he said. "It's not worth to be too long upset about it and focus on the problem. Find the solution, this is team sport." He expressed confidence that whoever steps into the right-back role will perform adequately, framing the challenge as an opportunity for other squad members to demonstrate their capability in a knockout match where margins are thin and mistakes carry immediate consequences.
Citas Notables
They are getting close. In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece.— Thomas Tuchel, England manager
First of all, I trust my players. It's not worth to be too long upset about it and focus on the problem. Find the solution, this is team sport.— Thomas Tuchel
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