​  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.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.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsEngland projected starting 11(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. J. Pickford (GK) — 25. D. Spence, 6. M. Guehi, 2. E. Konsa, 3. N. O’Reilly — 16. K. Mainoo, 8. E. Anderson — 20. N. Madueke, 10. J. Bellingham, 11. M. Rashford — 9. H. KaneInjured: R. James (hamstring), D. Rice (calf, doubt)Suspended: NoneOn yellow card: D. RiceReece 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.Djed Spence could switch flanks with Nico O’Reilly coming in at left-back, and Kobbie Mainoo may replace Rice. 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. FajardoInjured: A. Carrasquilla (adductor)Suspended: NoneOn yellow card: C. Blackman, C. HarveyPanama 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.MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World CupPanama vs. England predictions, betting oddsPanama have defended well in both defeats, and England’s struggles agai      ​Read More