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The latest England team news, injury update and predicted XI as the Three Lions take on Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
England’s World Cup campaign continues against Ghana on Tuesday at the cavernous Boston Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s side head into the match knowing that victory will see them top the group, after an impressive second-half display in their opening game saw the Three Lions battle their way to a confident 4-2 win over Croatia.
A victory against Ghana would allow Tuchel to rest key players for their final group game against Panama, with a potentially brutal run of fixtures on the horizon should they progress to the knockout stages as expected. England look set to be on the side of the bracket containing the likes of France, Brazil and Argentina, with an early knockout fixture against Mexico at their fortress, the Azteca Stadium, also on the cards.
England head into their clash against Ghana with a relatively clean bill of health. Marcus Rashford looks to have overcome hamstring tightness following the win over Croatia, while Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bakayo Saka should both be involved despite nursing long-term injury problems. Rice’s regards nerve pain in his hamstring, while Saka’s is an Achilles problem that plagued him throughout the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Ghana laboured to a 1-0 win over Panama in their opening game of the tournament, and England will be hopeful of dispatching a side ranked 65th in the world with relative ease despite the sweltering conditions expected in Boston. The two sides have met just once before, in a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium that saw Andy Carroll’s opening goal cancelled out by a late Asamoah Gyan leveller.
Ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash, we’ve given our verdict on the most likely starting line-up Tuchel could field against Ghana, on a rare occasion where the side hasn’t been leaked well ahead of kick-off.
England predicted XI vs Ghana: Goalkeeper and defence
Marc Guehi could replace John Stones at the back for England against Ghanaplaceholder image
Marc Guehi could replace John Stones at the back for England against Ghana | Getty Images
Goalkeeper - Jordan Pickford: England’s number one will be between the sticks again, picking up his 86th cap since making his senior debut back in 2017. The Everton stopper was part of a back line that looked far from comfortable at times against Croatia, and will be looking to put in a more confident display with the ball at his feet against Ghana.
Centre-back - Marc Guehi: John Stones partnered Ezri Konsa against Croatia, but looked rusty at times as the opposition looked to unsettle England’s defence with their high press. Despite the sample size of the Konsa-Stones combination effectiveness being small, Tuchel may well take the cautious option and bring back the partnership that saw his side cruise through qualification without conceding a single goal.
Centre-back - Ezri Konsa: The Aston Villa defender had his shaky moments against the Croatians too, but has done enough under Tuchel to keep his starting spot. He had a highly impressive season on the domestic front with Villa, playing a crucial role in the side’s top four finish in the Premier League, and their Europa League winning triumph.
Left-back - Nico O’Reilly: A breakout campaign with Manchester City saw O’Reilly bolt his way into the Three Lions set-up, emerging as Tuchel’s first-choice left-back. The 21-year-old had a strong second half against Croatia, and was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet after popping up in the penalty area to take two close-range efforts at goal.
England predicted XI vs Ghana: Midfield and attack
Marcus Rashford scored England's fourth goal in their 4-2 Group L win over Croatiaplaceholder image
Marcus Rashford scored England's fourth goal in their 4-2 Group L win over Croatia | Getty Images for Rexona
Central midfield - Declan Rice: The Arsenal midfielder fired a pin-point cross straight onto the head of Harry Kane for England’s second goal of the night in their opening fixture, and will be looking to maintain the side’s threat from set-pieces against Ghana. He’ll likely be monitored closely by Tuchel, given his ongoing injury concerns.
Central midfield - Elliott Anderson: He was exceptional against Croatia, with an all-action display proving too much for the opposition’s aging midfield. The Nottingham Forest sensation looks set to make a £100m move to Manchester City later this summer, and he’s showing exactly why they’re wiling to pay such an enormous transfer fee.
Right attacking midfield - Noni Madueke: Tuchel has a big decision to make on the right flank, with first-choice starter Saka likely to have his minutes carefully managed throughout the tournament. Madueke was a livewire against Croatia and caused them serious problems with his pace. He should start against Ghana, with Saka ready to come on should England find themselves in trouble.
Central attacking midfield - Jude Bellingham: The pre-tournament ‘Morgan Rogers vs Jude Bellingham’ debate looks to be comprehensively settled, with the latter repaying his manager’s faith with an excellent display in England’s opener. His precision finish saw the side go 3-2 up shortly after the break, capping off a potent attacking move from Tuchel’s men.
Left attacking midfield - Marcus Rashford: A second change could come in the form of Rashford for Anthony Gordon, after the former came off the bench and scored England’s fourth against Croatia. Rashford’s explosive pace caused the opposition all kinds of problems, and he could be rewarded with a start against Ghana.
Striker - Harry Kane: England’s skipper looks to have taken his formidable club form into the World Cup, bagging two goals in the Three Lions’ first group game. His ability to drop deep and spray passes around the pitch could be England’s X Factor at this World Cup, and his clinical finishing at the top of the pitch won’t do them any harm either.
England predicted line-up vs Ghana: Pickford; James, Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
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