Jarell Quansah's World Cup debut ended sooner than he would have hoped, and the ex-Liverpool star has raised doubts about his involvement in the rest of the tournament after limping off in England's game against Panama
23:32, 27 Jun 2026Updated 23:41, 27 Jun 2026
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 27: Referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim issues a yellow card to Jarell Quansah #26 of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 27, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah was forced off after injuring himself in a challenge(Image: Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah’s first World Cup could be in danger of ending early as the former Liverpool star limping off during England’s game against Panama.
The defender was handed his tournament debut as the Three Lions closed out the group stages, knowing that their place in the knockout stages was secured. After a dour goalless draw against Ghana earlier in the week though, there were more signs of England struggles.
Thomas Tuchel’s side went in goalless at the break as fears began to rise that they might not top Group L, and the England boss was handed much worse news in the second half as Quansah was forced off.
The 23-year-old, who made the move to Bayer Leverkusen from Liverpool last summer, limped off just after the hour mark, having picked up a knock in a challenge that saw him pick up a yellow card.
Just moments after Quansah made his way off the pitch, England took the lead through Jude Bellingham, with Harry Kane heading home soon after to all but confirm their side's place at the top of the group.
Quansah's injury though will provide Tuchel will a fresh headache though, with the England boss already short of options at right-back.
Reece James missed the game against Panama with a knock, while Tino Livramento was ruled out of the tournament before a ball had even been kicked, leading to Tuchel calling up Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 27: Jarell Quansah #26 of England controls the ball under pressure from Jose Luis Rodriguez #7 of Panama during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Panama and England at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 27, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah made his World Cup debut for England against Panama(Image: Getty Images)
Quansah effectively moved up a spot in the pecking order at right-back as a result, with Djed Spence offering cover at left-back, but now the Tottenham full-back could find himself at the front of the queue on the opposite side.
Quansah's injury will have done nothing to ease Gary Neville's fears, with the former England and Manchester United defender having raised his concerns at the options on offer at right-back ahead of the game against Panama.
“I wonder whether he’s basically played Quansah at right-back today on the basis that he knows Djed Spence is going to have to play every other game in the tournament, because he’s basically put all his eggs in one basket,” Neville said on ITV's coverage of the game.
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“My point is, Djed Spence is the only option really at right-back. Quansah is not an option going into the games further in the tournament at right-back, so the reason he’s probably done it today is thinking ‘look, we can handle Panama, Quansah can play there, he can do a job as Roy says, and Spence can come in for the last-32.”
He added: “In a squad of 26 players, we shouldn’t really be in a position where we haven’t got specialists playing, irrespective of what happens with the rest.
“I really don’t think we should be. 26 is a huge number. He’s brought in number 23, 24, 25 and 26 who are deemed to be ‘good travelers’, people who can maybe play in different positions. I would much prefer to have Trent Alexander-Arnold out there today.”