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England Shuffles Defense for Norway Clash
12 Jul
Summary
- Reece James is benched due to a hamstring concern.
- Ezri Konsa moves to right-back from center-back.
- John Stones partners Marc Guehi in central defense.
England's starting lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Norway in Miami on Saturday features a reshuffled defense. Regular right-back Reece James has been excluded from the starting XI. Staff deemed his hamstring not yet fully prepared for 90 minutes of intense play, prioritizing his availability for potential semi-final or final matches.
With both James and Jarell Quansah unavailable, manager Thomas Tuchel has made tactical adjustments. Ezri Konsa transitions from his usual center-back role to cover the right-back position. John Stones enters the central defense, forming a partnership with Marc Guehi, bolstering experience at the back. This strategic reshuffling aims to ensure a strong defensive unit for the crucial knockout stage match.
