The England World Cup issues are no longer hiding in plain sight. A 2-0 victory over Panama at the New York Stadium on Sunday, June 28, 2026, secured top spot in Group L, but it also exposed two big problems Thomas Tuchel must fix before the last-32 tie against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Atlanta. England are “en route,” as Miguel Delaney wrote, but the road looks tougher than expected.
How England Scraped Past Panama and Topped Group L
England’s win was built on familiar names and set-piece moments, not fluent open play. Jude Bellingham scored the opener with a deft toe poke. Harry Kane then headed in to become England’s record World Cup scorer with an 11th tournament goal.
“It isn’t so much football that people in the pub enjoy any more,” Delaney noted, “but one coming out of the more prosaic parts of coaching seminars, at least elevated by Bellingham’s ingenuity.”
The result means England avoid an early exit and stay on course for a possible quarter-final against Brazil in Miami. Yet the performance raised questions about structure, creativity, and balance.
A Hard-Fought Win, Not a Dominant One
Panama frustrated England for long spells. They found openings going forward and stayed compact at the back. England had control, but not conviction. Attacks broke down with poor passes or wrong options. As early as the 15th second, Tuchel was “berating his captain for arching one of those passes straight out of play.”
Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford started but struggled to link. Rashford did add urgency, and his runs helped increase tempo before Bellingham’s breakthrough. Morgan Rogers, in for Declan Rice as the 10, “actually couldn’t get into the game.” Ezri Konsa was “again exposed” at the back.
England World Cup Issues: The Two Huge Problems Tuchel Must Solve
Tuchel now faces a clear to-do list before knockout football gets serious. The first is defensive stability. The second is midfield connectivity without Rice.
Problem 1: Gaps at the Back and on the Flanks
England are “offering up a lot around their own area,” Delaney observed. With Reece James rested and Jarell Quansah starting at right-back ahead of Djed Spence, the side looked “flat” and lacked mobility.
“A central issue, so to speak, might be the one at right-back,” the report said. Without James’s pace and overlap, England could not stretch Panama and were vulnerable to counters. Konsa’s exposure compounded the problem.
Tuchel has talked about an intense attack with forwards “coming from everywhere.” Against Panama, that did not materialize. Until set-pieces broke the deadlock, England looked short of ideas in wide areas.
Problem 2: Midfield Links Without Declan Rice
The second of the England World Cup issues is in midfield. Rice was rested, and England missed him. “The links weren’t there,” with Kane marked out until the first goal. Rogers could not fill the 10 role effectively, and the pivot lacked Rice’s ability to recycle and protect.
“He’s arguably less replaceable than Kane, and even now Reece James,” Delaney argued. That is a bold claim, but it reflects how central Rice is to Tuchel’s balance. Without him, England’s build-up was slow, and transitions stalled.
Thomas Tuchel Tactics and the Plan for Elite Opposition
Despite the toil, there is a theory behind the approach. Tuchel may be building for the transitions that appear against top teams, not for routine group wins.
Kane as Creator and Finisher
Kane’s role is central to that idea. He is not only the scorer. His “raking balls are intended to release pace out wide.” Against sides who try to control the game, England may get more space behind, and Kane’s passing becomes a weapon.
“Maybe that’s why the more leaden nature of these performances isn’t a worry,” the piece suggested. “Maybe that’s what it’s all building to.”
Thomas Tuchel said he wants an attack that excites fans. Against Panama, it did not click. “So many attacks broke down with the wrong pass or a bad option.” The set-piece route provided relief. On 62 minutes, Saka’s corner found Bellingham, who turned it in on the spin. Moments later, Kane headed in Bellingham’s cross.
Jude Bellingham Impact and Harry Kane World Cup Record
If England have a safety net, it is Bellingham and Kane.
Bellingham Carries the Creativity
Bellingham looked frustrated for stretches, but his goal changed the game. “The surprise was that it wasn’t a header,” Delaney wrote. “It was the little touch of quality that was required.” Against a physically imposing Panama defense, Bellingham’s improvisation created the opening.
His Jude Bellingham impact is now England’s biggest constant. He scores, he creates, and he lifts tempo when the team lags.
Kane Makes History
Kane’s header made him England’s record World Cup scorer. “The captain became England’s record World Cup goalscorer, with an 11th that ultimately sealed a 2-0 win over Panama.”
Yet even Kane was “dampened” in a frustrating first half. Panama marked him tightly. He only found space after England forced them to chase the game.
England Knockout Round Problems and the Route Ahead
Topping Group L sets up a last-32 meeting with DR Congo in Atlanta. After that, a prospective quarter-final against Brazil in Miami looms.
Why the Knockouts Will Be Different
Delaney wrote: “The real test is how England do against the first proper team they play, but the toughest challenge for now might be getting that far.” Two matches in which England were expected to dominate have been hard work. Control without combinations is not enough at this stage.
The England knockout round problems are tactical, not just personnel. England need better spacing around the opposition box. They also need a midfield that can hold shape when Rice is not on the pitch.
Roy Keane was quoted elsewhere saying Tuchel “doesn’t have a clue” what his best XI is. Tuchel would disagree, but the Panama game did not settle the debate.
What England Must Change Before Atlanta
To progress, England must address three areas quickly.
1. Restore Width and Mobility
With James likely to return, England regain overlapping runs and 1v1 threat. That will help Saka and Rashford combine more naturally. Without mobility at right-back, England look predictable.
2. Fix the Midfield Shape
Rice’s return should stabilize the pivot. If Tuchel plays Rogers again, he must give him clearer connections to Kane and Bellingham. Otherwise, England will keep relying on set-pieces.
3. Sharpen Combination Play
Tuchel wants intensity and forwards from multiple angles. Against Panama, the final pass was often wrong. Training must focus on quick exchanges in the last third.
Read also: Carlos Queiroz World Cup views: “Moneyball” replaces meaning in qualification
Verdict: Still En Route, But the Path Is Narrower
England remain in the tournament. They have Bellingham’s spark and Kane’s record. They also have a coach who is thinking about elite matchups.
“England are suddenly built for games that they have to really battle to actually get to,” Delaney concluded. “They stay en route, but it all looks more difficult to navigate than had been anticipated.”
The Thomas Tuchel tactics will be judged on what happens next. If England solve the defensive gaps and midfield links, the 2-0 over Panama will look like a learning game. If not, the knockout rounds could end quickly.
For now, the story is this: England have the result, but the England World Cup issues are real. Bellingham and Kane can paper over cracks, but they cannot be the entire plan.
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