Alan Shearer has been direct about it : England’s draw with Ghana was a disappointment, not a catastrophe. History backs that reading. Since 2006, every single World Cup winner has dropped points in their first or second group game. Each one of them still went on to top their group. That track record matters, and it should shape how England approach Saturday’s game against Panama with clear heads rather than panic.
Saka and Rashford deserve their World Cup starting chance
The most significant selection question Thomas Tuchel faces is his winger pairing. Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke simply did not do enough against Ghana. Neither was direct enough when the ball arrived wide. They rarely attacked their defender one-on-one, their crossing was poor, and the service in open play was almost non-existent. The first man stopped too many deliveries. Set-piece delivery was below par too, but the wider problem was a consistent lack of threat from the flanks.
Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford both made strong cases when they came off the bench in England’s first two games. Shearer’s view is unambiguous : they’ve done more than enough to earn starting spots. Saka’s fitness appears to be the only reason he hasn’t featured from the first whistle yet. If he’s ready for Panama, he slots in on the right. Rashford takes the left. Simple as that.
What Shearer wants from both is straightforward :
- More energy and intensity from the first minute
- A willingness to take on defenders directly in one-on-one situations
- Forward passes rather than the safe, sideways option
- Consistent quality in delivery, whether crossing or cutting inside
Going backwards when under no real pressure was a recurring habit against Ghana. Against a side that will sit deep again, England cannot afford that. Panama are already eliminated after two defeats, playing purely for pride. Their identity won’t change : they’ll defend compact and dare England to find a way through. That demands more urgency, more risk-taking, and faster ball movement from Tuchel’s side.
Defensive reshuffles and the midfield Shearer won’t touch
Beyond the attack, Shearer sees room for change in two other areas. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly should come back in for Djed Spence. The difference was visible the moment O’Reilly stepped onto the pitch against Ghana. England looked more dangerous down the left in that 15-minute spell than they had throughout the rest of the match. O’Reilly got into intelligent positions, contributed more with the ball, and was unlucky to see a header clip the crossbar rather than go in.
Centrally, Shearer could see the logic in bringing John Stones back in for Ezri Konsa. England’s main problem was breaking down a low block, but defensively there were genuine concerns too. Ghana had two real forward moments. One could have resulted in a penalty, the other nearly saw Jordan Pickford walk. Both situations escaped without punishment, but that kind of uncertainty at the back isn’t something Tuchel can ignore.
| Position | Current starter | Possible replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Right wing | Noni Madueke | Bukayo Saka |
| Left wing | Anthony Gordon | Marcus Rashford |
| Left-back | Djed Spence | Nico O’Reilly |
| Centre-back | Ezri Konsa | John Stones |
Pickford himself hasn’t looked as assured as usual. His distribution was shaky in the first game, and against Ghana he rushed out at a moment that could have cost England badly. Whether the defensive reshuffles around him have unsettled his rhythm is hard to say, but it’s a thread worth watching.
On midfield, Shearer’s position is firm : don’t change it. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson should continue building their partnership, and Harry Kane stays in the team regardless. Had England already secured top spot, rotation would make sense. They haven’t. This is a game England must win, and Kane’s experience and goal threat make him non-negotiable. Shearer puts it at 100% : Kane starts.
England are still in the conversation, and this World Cup is wide open
Step back from the Ghana frustration and the bigger picture holds up. The 2026 World Cup is past its halfway point in terms of matches played, and the tournament has genuinely delivered. The USA have impressed on home soil. France, Argentina and Spain have all shown why they belong at the top table. England sit alongside those nations in the group of teams that have caught the eye, hiccup included.
Spain drew with Cape Verde. France were poor for the first half of their opener against Senegal. No major nation has cruised through without at least one difficult moment. That context doesn’t excuse England’s performance against Ghana, but it does frame it properly. Improvement is needed, particularly in breaking down low defensive blocks and in the quality of wide play. Those are fixable problems.
England remain top of their group heading into Saturday. Panama offer a chance to restore confidence and momentum before the knockout rounds. The real tests come later, and the players Tuchel picks this weekend, particularly Saka and Rashford, will need to carry that form deep into the tournament. The World Cup is won in the moments when individuals step up. For these two, that moment is arriving fast.
