Five teams book World Cup last-32 berths as England’s James ruled out of Panama match

Advancement confirmed

Five nations secured their passage to the knockout phase before kicking a ball in their final group matches. Results elsewhere on Friday meant that four points guaranteed a top‑three finish, and England, Portugal, Egypt, Ghana and Paraguay all reached that threshold. For the Three Lions, the certainty of a last‑32 place arrived when Uruguay lost to Spain, removing any mathematical danger of an early exit.

England’s selection and injuries

Reece James was hurt during Tuesday’s 0‑0 draw with Ghana and did not travel with the squad to New Jersey. Tuchel described the hamstring problem as minor and placed the defender on an accelerated rehab programme, but he will definitely miss Saturday’s match against Panama. The manager hopes to have him back later in the tournament, though the timeline for a round‑of‑32 return is tight.

“He’s on an accelerated rehab programme. We will take it game by game but we strongly believe that he will be available for us again in the tournament.”

Midfielders Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson, who both had minor issues after the Ghana game, trained with the squad on Friday and are available. Bukayo Saka, recovering from an Achilles problem, is also free of discomfort and could make his first start since the Champions League final on 30 May.

Group L permutations

England top the group on four points, level with Ghana but ahead on goal difference. Croatia sit third on three points, while Panama are bottom without a point and already eliminated. A win or draw against Panama would seal first place for England, but even a defeat could be enough to finish top if Croatia and Ghana draw. Ghana have already qualified and can top the group with a heavy win over Croatia while England draw or lose. Croatia must avoid defeat to prolong their tournament; a win would lift them above Ghana, while a draw would likely send them through as one of the eight best third‑placed teams.

England4

Ghana4

Croatia3

Panama0

England

4 points

Ghana

4 points

Croatia

3 points

Panama

0 points

Data from the article text

Ghana’s call for more pressure on officials

Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo told reporters that his side need to be more aggressive around the referee after an Ezri Konsa challenge on Prince Kwabena went unpenalised in the England draw. Semenyo believes “gang[ing] around the referee” and pestering the fourth official could influence decisions.

“As a team, we need to be more aggressive around the officials, whether they’re staying down longer as a player or the coaches on the sideline pestering the fourth official.”

Coach Carlos Queiroz, managing at his fifth World Cup, expressed frustration that protesting often leads to yellow cards and called on FIFA to review the implementation of VAR a decade after its first use.

“Ten years is gone. There is no excuse, no reason for VAR not to be better than this. No excuse.”

Saturday’s fixtures

Both Group L matches kick off simultaneously at 5 p.m. ET (10 p.m. BST). England face Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, while Croatia meet Ghana at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Panama, beaten by Ghana and Croatia, are chasing a first World Cup point against an England side eager to wrap up top spot.