The England squad will step out against Panama today with Declan Rice declared fit — but the ominous mood was set on the eve of the World Cup 2026 clash by a surreal new collage from the celebrated satirist Cold War Steve. The third in a series commissioned by the Guardian depicts England’s team-building barbecue as a genuinely haunted affair, a darkly comic vision of players and staff surrounded by figures from beyond the grave.
On the pitch, the reality is more straightforward. Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, confirmed that Rice has allayed any fitness fears after the midfielder underwent an assessment following the previous match. The German also delivered an update on Elliot Anderson, who is dealing with some muscle tightness, though the extent of the issue was not detailed.
“Declan Rice is fit for England vs Panama as Cold War Steve’s haunted barbecue collage sets an eerie tone.”
With Rice cleared, attention turns to the attacking options. Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are both pushing for starts against Panama. The match is part of the group stage, with England needing a result to secure progress in the expanded 48-team tournament.
The haunted barbecue image — the latest in a series of World Cup 2026-themed collages — serves as a reminder that even the most carefully planned preparations can carry an eerie edge. For Tuchel and his players, the goal is to exorcise those ghosts on the pitch in today’s encounter.