England take on Panama in their final World Cup 2026 group game on Saturday with the aim of staying top of their section.
Finishing first would land the Three Lions a last-32 World Cup clash in Atlanta against a best third-placed team from Group E, H, I, J or K.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel has one eye on the knockout stage and will be wary of his key players over-exerting themselves during the contest in New Jersey.
Panama have been eliminated after two defeats but manager Thomas Christiansen is seeking a major upset.
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World Cup 2026: England confirmed team vs Panama
England make five changes from their 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday.
Reece James is expected to miss two matches with a hamstring injury and Djed Spence, Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Anthony Gordon move to the bench.
Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford come in.
England starting XI: Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Jarell Quansah, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford
England substitutes: Dean Henderson, James Trafford, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney
World Cup 2026: Panama full line up vs England
Panama make three changes from their 1-0 defeat to Croatia four days ago.
Fidel Escobar, Jorge Gutierrez and Tomas Rodriguez replaces Jiovany Ramos, Cesar Blackman and Jose Fajardo.
Panama XI: Orlando Mosquera, Jose Cordoba, Fidel Escobar, Carlos Harvey, Andres Andrade, Amir Murillo, Jorge Gutierrez, Cristian Martinez, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Edgar Yoel Barcenas, Tomas Rodriguez
Panama substitutes: Luis Mejia, Cesar Samudio, Cesar Blackman, Edgardo Farina, Jiovany Ramos, Eric Davis, Roderick Miller, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Ismael Diaz, Alberto Quintero, Anibal Godoy, Cesar Yanis, Jose Fajardo, Cecilio Waterman, Azarias Londono
Where to watch England vs Panama: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1.
Streaming is available through ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
England vs Panama: World Cup 2026 stats
- Panama have lost each of their five World Cup matches, scoring two goals in total in the process. Only El Salvador possess a worse 100% losing record in the competition history (6 games)
- They are playing at their second World Cup and their first since 2018 in Russia, in which they finished bottom of a group consisting of Belgium and England, who competed in that edition’s third-placed play-off, as well as Tunisia
- Jose Cordoba attempted 101 passes during Panama’s World Cup opener against Ghana, which is the most of any player in a match for the nation in tournament history
- Along with eliminated Curacao, Panama were one of two sides to avoid defeat during CONCACAF qualifying among teams to have played at least 10 matches, while recording the most high turnovers (82)
- Only three players recorded more assists in CONCACAF qualifying than Amir Murillo (3), who was also second for expected assists (2.6)
- Christiansen has been in charge of Panama since July 2020, leading them to the knockout stage in two of his three Gold Cup campaigns (runners-up in 2023, quarter-finals in 2025)
- Jordan Pickford made his 14th World Cup appearance for England by starting against Ghana. Only Peter Shilton (17) has more in the competition for the men’s national team
- Jude Bellingham made his 50th England appearance for England in that game, becoming the youngest player ever to reach the milestone for the Three Liones at the age of 22 years and 359 days
- England are making their 17th World Cup appearance in their eighth consecutive participation, which is the longest uninterrupted run in their history
- Since winning their only World Cup title in 1966, England have progressed past the quarter-finals on two occasions: they finished fourth in 1990 and 2018
- A World Cup newcomer, Tuchel is the third non-Englishman to lead the nation at the finals after Sven-Goran Eriksson (2002, 2006) and Fabio Capello (2010)
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