Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Alan Shearer says the time is right for England boss Thomas Tuchel to hand starts to Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford.
England face Panama on Saturday, knowing a win should be enough to see them top Group L.
The Three Lions beat Croatia 4-2 in their first game, but their performance in a drab 0-0 draw against Ghana on Tuesday has drawn criticism.
Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke have started on the flanks in England’s opening two matches, but Shearer now wants to see Tuchel give the nod to Saka, who has been recovering from injury, and Rashford.
Saka and Rashford combined for the latter to score against Croatia, and both came on from the bench against Ghana.
In a column for BBC Sport, Shearer wrote: “Since 2006, every World Cup winner has dropped points in their first or second group game – but what they have also done each time is go on to win their group.
“I am confident England will do that too… but I would not be surprised if Thomas Tuchel makes three or even four changes to his team after such a disappointing result and performance.
78.8% – England’s possession figure of 78.8% against Ghana was the most on record (from 1966) by any side in a FIFA World Cup match without managing to score.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026
“Probably the biggest call for Tuchel is what he does with his wingers.
“I didn’t think Gordon or Madueke were positive enough against Ghana. By that I mean they didn’t attack their defender enough when we got the ball out to them out wide.
“Their crossing was really poor as well, and often it didn’t beat the first man. Our delivery from set-pieces was not great either, but in open play the service from the wingers was pretty much non-existent.
“That’s why I think Tuchel will change it up, and Saka and Rashford have definitely done enough when they have come on in both games to get a chance to start.
“Saka’s fitness is surely the only reason he hasn’t started either game so far, but if he’s ready this time then he would come in on the right, with Rashford on the left.
“What I want to see from both of them is more energy and to be more direct in one-on-one situations by trying to go past players.
“There also needs to be more forward passing rather than taking the easy option by going sideways or backwards.”
Against Ghana, England recorded 78.9% possession, the highest on record (from 1966) by any side in a World Cup match without scoring.
Indeed, under Tuchel, England are averaging 70.2% possession in 16 games in all competitions, having 60% or higher in 14 of those 16 matches.
England have only lost their third group game in one of their last 14 World Cup tournaments (W8 D5), a 0-1 defeat to Belgium in 2018.
“Panama are out of the World Cup already after losing both their games – the head-to-head rule to decide group positions means they already know they will finish bottom,” Shearer continued.
“They are only playing for pride now, but I don’t think that will change their identity as a team.
19 – Harry Kane had 19 touches against Ghana, the lowest total he has ever recorded in a major tournament match for England where he played 90+ minutes.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 23, 2026
“That means England are likely to face the same task they did against Ghana – seeing most of the ball and trying to find a way through a packed defence.
“If we are going to be successful this time, we might have to change our mindset, as well as some of the personnel, and show more urgency by moving the ball quicker and taking more risks.”
Opta’s supercomputer hands England a 81.7% chance of topping Group L, while the Three Lions are still given a 9.1% probability of winning the World Cup, making them fourth favourites.
“I think about the teams that have impressed me, then the United States are up there along with France, Argentina and Spain – and England are part of that excitement too,” Shearer added.
“Of course, we have had a hiccup, but we are not alone there – Spain had one too in their draw with Cape Verde and France were poor in the first half of their opener against Senegal.
“Yes, there is room for improvement and also bigger tests to come in the knockout stage, but right now we are still top of our group and still on track to win it.”
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