​England defender Marc Guehi is dealing with a slight hamstring issue and could miss the World Cup quarter-final against Norway. He reported a muscle problem following England’s victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Initially, it was believed the defender was experiencing muscular fatigue and would be fit for the Norway clash on Saturday, but current understanding is that the Manchester City centre-back is carrying a hamstring strain. It remains to be seen whether Guehi can train with the squad on Friday; if he cannot, his participation against Norway would be in serious doubt. The issue is not considered serious in itself, but with seven-goal scorer Erling Haaland to contend with, England head coach Thomas Tuchel cannot afford to take risks with a defender, particularly in a decisive knockout match.
England midfielder Declan Rice is believed to have missed a second consecutive day of training due to a sickness bug. He has been dealing with a neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back, which has been worsened by illness. The team has taken steps to prevent the bug from spreading.
There is brighter news for Tuchel as first-choice right-back Reece James has returned to full training for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with Ghana. Although James did not complete the entire session, he is expected to be available for Norway this weekend if he experiences no adverse effects from Thursday’s training. Tuchel and his staff will need to decide whether James is fit to start or should come on as a substitute.
In other developments, Quansah received a two-match ban after a red card against Mexico. Norway’s Haaland is pressing for England to feel the heat, while Stones reflected on a viral prank as the squad bonds in the build-up to the knockout rounds. The World Cup knockout path for 2026 is being mapped out, and fans will be keen to know how to watch the tournament on the BBC and ITV. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, there is a full guide to what to expect from the World Cup, including streaming options, fixtures, and how the rounds unfold, to help with better search engine optimization and planning.