England vs. Panama projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup 2026 Group L game at MetLife Stadium

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England vs. Panama projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup 2026 Group L game at MetLife Stadium originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Panama and England meet on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford to close out World Cup Group L, with the two sides in very different positions.

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England top the group on four points after a 4-2 win over Croatia and a 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a draw will be enough to go through, though they want top spot. Panama have already been eliminated after narrow 1-0 defeats to Ghana and Croatia and have nothing but pride to play for.

The only previous meeting between the nations was a 6-1 win for England at the 2018 World Cup. Finishing top would likely steer the Three Lions away from a tougher last-32 tie, giving Thomas Tuchel every reason to take the game seriously. 

Here is how we expect the teams to line up.

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England projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. J. Pickford (GK) — 26. J. Quansah, 6. M. Guehi, 2. E. Konsa, 3. N. O'Reilly — 16. K. Mainoo, 10. J. Bellingham — 20. N. Madueke, 17. M. Rogers, 11. M. Rashford — 9. H. Kane

  • Injured: R. James (hamstring), D. Rice (calf, doubt), E. Anderson (muscle, doubt)
  • Suspended: None
  • On yellow card: D. Rice

Reece James and Declan Rice sustained injuries against Ghana and Tuchel is unlikely to risk either. James in particular is at risk of a longer spell out after his latest hamstring concern, but Rice's calf issue is not thought to be significant.

David Ornstein of The Athletic said Jarell Quansah and Morgan Rogers are set to make their first starts of the tournament. Quansah will line up at right-back, while Rogers could claim the No. 10 role if Jude Bellingham drops deeper to cover for the injured Rice and Elliot Anderson. Kobbie Mainoo should also come into midfield.

The big debate is whether Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford start, providing support to captain Harry Kane. Saka's niggling Achilles issue means he may not be risked, but Rashford could come in for the out-of-sorts Anthony Gordon.

Panama projected starting 11

(5-4-1, right to left): 22. O. Mosquera (GK) — 23. A. Murillo, 3. J. Cordoba, 13. J. Ramos, 16. A. Andrade, 2. C. Blackman — 6. C. Martinez, 11. Y. Barcenas, 14. C. Harvey, 7. J. L. Rodriguez — 17. J. Fajardo

  • Injured: A. Carrasquilla (adductor)
  • Suspended: None
  • On yellow card: C. Blackman, C. Harvey

Panama remain without Adalberto Carrasquilla due to an adductor problem, while captain Anibal Godoy is short of fitness after just one minute so far.

Thomas Christiansen is expected to stick with a pragmatic 5-4-1. Former Marseille full-back Michael Amir Murillo is the most recognisable name in the back five, with Jose Fajardo leading the line as the Canal Men finally chase a first goal of the tournament.

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Panama vs. England predictions, betting odds

Panama have defended well in both defeats, and England's struggles against Ghana are a warning. But the gap in quality is large, and a fresher England should find a way through to seal top spot.

  • Score prediction: Panama 0-2 England

Panama vs. England World Cup rosters

Here are the names on the Panama and England World Cup rosters, as named for the 2026 tournament. Caps and stats are correct as of the announcement dates.

England World Cup squad

MORE:A complete breakdown of England's 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach: Thomas Tuchel

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCapsGK13Dean HendersonCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)294GK1Jordan PickfordEverton (Premier League, England)3282GK23James TraffordManchester City (Premier League, England)231DEF15Dan BurnNewcastle (Premier League, England)346DEF12Trevoh ChalobahChelsea (Premier League, England)261DEF6Marc GuehiManchester City (Premier League, England)2527DEF24Reece JamesChelsea (Premier League, England)2622DEF2Ezri KonsaAston Villa (Premier League, England)2818DEF3Nico O'ReillyManchester City (Premier League, England)213DEF26Jarell QuansahBayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany)231DEF25Djed SpenceTottenham Hotspur (Premier League, England)244DEF5John StonesManchester City (Premier League, England)3187MID8Elliot AndersonNottingham Forest (Premier League, England)237MID10Jude BellinghamReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2246MID21Eberechi EzeArsenal (Premier League, England)2716MID14Jordan HendersonBrentford (Premier League, England)3589MID16Kobbie MainooManchester United (Premier League, England)2112MID4Declan RiceArsenal (Premier League, England)2772MID17Morgan RogersAston Villa (Premier League, England)2313FWD18Anthony GordonNewcastle United (Premier League, England)2517FWD9Harry KaneBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)32112FWD20Noni MaduekeArsenal (Premier League, England)2410FWD11Marcus RashfordManchester United (Premier League, England)2870FWD7Bukayo SakaArsenal (Premier League, England)2448FWD22Ivan ToneyAl Ahli (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)307FWD19Ollie WatkinsAston Villa (Premier League, England)3020

Panama World Cup squad

Head coach: Thomas Christiansen

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCapsGK1Luis MejiaNacional (Primera Division, Uruguay)3556GK22Orlando MosqueraAl Fayha (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)3148GK12Cesar SamudioMarathon (Liga Nacional, Honduras)325DEF16Andres AndradeLASK (Bundesilga, Austria)2750DEF2Cesar BlackmonSlovan Bratislava (First League, Slovakia)2840DEF3Jose CordobaNorwich City (Championship, England)2532DEF15Eric DavisPlaza Amador (Liga de Futbol, Panama)35107DEF4Fidel EscobarSaprissa (Liga Promerica, Costa Rica)3199DEF5Edgardo FarinaPari Nizhny Novgorod (First League, Russia)2418DEF26Jorge GutierrezDeportivo La Guaira (Liga FUTVE, Venezuela)2718DEF25Roderick MillerTuran Tovuz (Premier League, Azerbaijan)3450DEF23Amir MurilloBesiktas (Super Lig, Turkey)3094MID11Yoel BarcenasUnattached (No club)32104MID8Adalberto CarrasquillaUNAM Pumas (Liga MX, Mexico)2773MID10Ismael DiazClub Leon (Liga MX, Mexico)2957MID20Anibal GodoyFC San Diego (MLS, United States)36159MID14Carlos HarveyMinnesota United (MLS, United States)2628MID6Cristian MartinezIroni Kiryat Shmona (Premier League, Israel)2966MID19Alberto QuinteroPlaza Amador (Liga de Futbol, Panama)38141MID7Jose Luis RodriguezFC Juarez (Liga MX, Mexico)2770MID21Cesar YanisCobresal (Liga de Futbol, Panama)3056FWD17Jose FajardoUniversidad Catolica (Serie A, Ecuador)3268FWD24Azarias LondonoUniversidad Catolica (Serie A, Ecuador)2411FWD9Tomas RodriguezSaprissa (Liga Promerica, Costa Rica)2713FWD11Cecilio WatermanUniversidad de Concepcion (Liga de Primera, Chile)3555

Where to watch Panama vs. England

  • TV channel: Fox
  • Live stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:

RegionTVStreamingCanadaTSN1, TSN4, TSN5, RDSTSN+, RDS appUKITV1, STV ScotlandITVX, STV PlayerAustraliaSBSSBS On DemandIndiaUnite8 Sports 1ZEE5

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