England's World Cup knockout campaign begins against DR Congo amid right-back injury crisis

Defensive injuries mount

England will be without Jarell Quansah and Reece James for the last-32 tie in Atlanta. Quansah twisted his ankle during the 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday, while James has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with Ghana. Both missed training on Tuesday, and Tuchel confirmed they will not feature. The absences compound an already thin position: Tino Livramento withdrew before the tournament with a calf problem, and his replacement Trevoh Chalobah is a central defender. Djed Spence, who replaced Quansah against Panama, is the likeliest starter, though Ezri Konsa, a centre-back who has played right-back for England before, is another option.

Tuchel's message: patience and belief

The German coach, hired partly for his record in knockout football, warned his side not to grow frustrated against a team expected to defend deep. "We need to get our expectations right, that we are not frustrated, that we keep on doing what we're doing, that we keep on believing," he said. Tuchel recalled his own painful experience of losing a penalty shootout with Borussia Dortmund in the 2016 German Cup final, admitting he had forgotten to prepare for it. That scar, he said, has sharpened his approach. He also pointed to the scars carried by players who were part of England's defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016, whose 10th anniversary fell last Saturday.

“You will not find great athletes who didn't suffer big defeats.”

Tactical reshuffle

Declan Rice is set to return in midfield after missing the Panama game with a knock, pushing Jude Bellingham back to the number 10 role where he has previously excelled. The search for a consistent winger combination continues, with Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon all yet to nail down a place. Tuchel stressed that the early knockout rounds are not glamorous but must be overcome, comparing DR Congo to the low blocks posed by Ghana and Panama in the group stage.

Historical echoes

The last-32 tie carries echoes of past tournament exits. England's humiliating loss to Iceland in 2016 remains a cautionary tale, and Tuchel believes such setbacks can fuel success. "I just love it," he said of knockout football. "It just gives an extra edge." The match is the first of five potential games in under three weeks if England are to reach the final.