England vs Panama confirmed lineups: Harry Kane starts as Tuchel names XI (June 27, 2026)

England will face Panama in a 2026 World Cup Group L fixture on June 27, 2026 (kickoff 21:00 UTC), and manager Thomas Tuchel has named his confirmed XI with Harry Kane starting up front. The team news matters because England — who have a win and a draw in the group so far — are among the favourites to progress, while Panama are chasing their first tournament victory and will set up to frustrate on the counter.

Confirmed lineups

England (confirmed): Jordan Pickford; Jarell Quansah, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.

Panama (confirmed): Orlando Mosquera; Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, José Córdoba, Andrés Andrade, Jorge Gutiérrez; Cristian Martínez, Yoel Bárcenas, Carlos Harvey, José Luis Rodríguez; Tomás Rodriguez.

Why it matters

England arrive in this match as one of the group favourites, having recorded one victory and one draw in Group L according to the supplied source. A strong performance would bolster their chances of topping the group; Panama, meanwhile, are seeking their first result of the tournament and are expected to prioritise defensive organisation and quick counters to upset England.

Tactical notes and selection implications

Tuchel has named a forward line built around Harry Kane, who is reported as fully fit and without suspension, supported by Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka on the wings and Jude Bellingham operating in an advanced midfield role. The source highlights Bellingham’s importance as an attacking midfielder making forward runs. England may take an attack-minded approach to create space for the wide players.

Defensively, England will be without Reece James at right back; the report identifies Djed Spence as the leading candidate to start there in James’s absence. Panama are set up with a five-man defensive line to prioritise solidity and hit England on the break, with Tomás Rodriguez named as their focal attacking outlet.

Key points

• Kickoff: June 27, 2026, 21:00 UTC (FIFA World Cup Group L).
• Harry Kane is named to start for England and is described as fully fit with no suspension.
• England’s confirmed XI includes Jude Bellingham in a key attacking midfield role and wingers Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford.
• Reece James is absent from England’s matchday selection; Djed Spence is reported as a likely replacement candidate.
• Panama will use a five-man defensive line and will rely on counterattacks, with Tomás Rodriguez as their main attacking threat.
• England have a win and a draw in the group so far; Panama are chasing their first tournament victory according to the source.

What it means / What happens next

A positive result for England would strengthen their position in Group L and edge them closer to topping the group, while Panama are searching for a breakthrough result that would rescue pride and momentum in the tournament. After this fixture, both sides’ next moves in the group will depend on results elsewhere and remaining fixtures; official post-match squad updates and any injury confirmations should be checked via FIFA or the national associations.