England face Panama on Saturday night for only the second time in their history — a rematch of the 6-1 demolition that marked the Three Lions' biggest ever World Cup win. That game on 24 June 2018 saw Harry Kane score a hat-trick, John Stones grab a brace and Jesse Lingard add another, but eight years later the landscape has shifted dramatically.
Thomas Tuchel is now in charge, taking his first international tournament just as Gareth Southgate did in 2018. The manager has made a popular change to the lineup, according to leaked team news, though the exact alteration was not specified in reports. Only Jordan Pickford remains from that starting XI, with Jordan Henderson back in the squad but unlikely to feature at the tournament.
“England face Panama for only the second time, eight years after a 6-1 win, but with a new manager and many new faces.”
Lingard, now 33, plays under the name JLingz for Corinthians in Brazil. Ruben Loftus‑Cheek and Henderson were his midfield partners that day; now the engine room looks entirely different. England opened this World Cup with a thrilling 4‑2 win over Croatia — a familiar foe from Euro 2020 and the 2018 semi‑final — before being held to a 0‑0 draw by Ghana, an opponent they had not faced for over a decade.
Panama, by contrast, are a nation England have played only once before. The Evening Standard reported that the 2018 drubbing “laid foundations for Gareth Southgate progress, but Los Canaleros have made significant strides since then”. The same outlet notes that England are 50/1 to beat Panama with Betfred, though that price likely reflects a betting promotion rather than genuine odds.
This year’s tournament is like no other, with a record 48 nations competing. Tuchel is hoping to end England’s 60‑year trophy drought, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — both likely playing their final World Cup — have other plans.