England name XI: Saka handed first start

England have named their starting XI for the final Group L fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama at MetLife Stadium. With victory required to finish top of the group, Thomas Tuchel has gone with some eye-catching selections.

The biggest call came in attack. Bukayo Saka, carefully managed after his injury, makes his first start of the tournament. Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers also start in the forward line, with captain Harry Kane leading the line.

There is a surprise reshuffle in midfield. Declan Rice, declared fit after the Ghana draw, has been left on the bench; Elliot Anderson comes in alongside Jude Bellingham in the double pivot. John Stones is also among the substitutes.

The back four was shaped by a forced change. Reece James and Tino Livramento are both out injured, so Jarell Quansah will feature at right back. The defense consists of Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi and Nico O'Reilly. Kobbie Mainoo, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon and Djed Spence are among those waiting on the bench.

For Panama, Thomas Christiansen has opted for a cautious 5-4-1 built around a back five. Orlando Mosquera is in goal, with Yoel Barcenas as captain. T. Rodríguez leads the line as the lone striker, while Cecilio Waterman starts on the bench.

For England, the match matters both for momentum and for securing top spot ahead of the last 32. How Saka fares on his first start, and how England cope without the rested Rice and Stones, will be among the key talking points.

Predicted lineups:
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guéhi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Rogers, Rashford; Kane.
Panama (5-4-1): Mosquera; Murillo, Escobar, Córdoba, Andrade, Gutiérrez; Martínez, Barcenas, Harvey, Rodríguez J.; Rodríguez T.

Image: BBC