Jarell Quansah is set to start at right-back for England in Monday's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium — a selection forced by a deepening injury crisis that has stripped Thomas Tuchel of his preferred options. The Bayer Leverkusen defender, who returned to full training after an ankle injury suffered in the win over Panama, will step in after Djed Spence reported a muscle niggle on Sunday morning. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are also expected to replace Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford in the starting XI.
Tuchel's right-back problems began before the tournament when Tino Livramento withdrew with a calf issue. Rather than call up Trent Alexander-Arnold, the German chose Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah. Then Reece James, who started the opening matches, suffered a hamstring problem late against Ghana and has missed the past two games. The 26-year-old Chelsea captain has not trained fully with the squad and was the only absentee from Saturday's session in Mexico City; the Football Association said he was following his own individual programme. Tuchel told media on Saturday that James would need a late assessment for a place on the substitutes' bench.
“Jarell Quansah set to start at right-back for England against Mexico in World Cup last-16.”
Declan Rice, who finished the DR Congo match at right-back, has been carrying a hamstring issue but is set to start in midfield with Elliot Anderson. Ezri Konsa, who has played all four games at centre-back, remains another option. The expected England XI is: Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
The match kicks off at 1am BST on Monday, broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer, with coverage starting at midnight. It will be played at the historic Estadio Azteca, which sits 7,200 feet above sea level — a significant altitude challenge for Tuchel's squad. England return to the stadium for the first time in 40 years, facing co-hosts Mexico in a cauldron that has tested many great sides. After group-stage draws and narrow victories, the Three Lions must overcome both opponents and environment to reach the quarter-finals.