Thomas Tuchel has provided an update on the situation of Reece James after suffering a hamstring injury.
Reece James’ persistent hamstring issues have struck at the worst possible time, ruling the England right-back out of the final World Cup group game against Panama and the subsequent round-of-32 fixture.
The Chelsea defender reported severe muscle tightness following England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, a frustratingly familiar outcome given his medical history.
At Chelsea, the captain has spent years trapped in a devastating cycle of recurring hamstring tears and surgeries, which recently cost him another two months of action during the 2025–26 club campaign.
Despite careful minutes management, the congested tournament schedule triggered another setback, leaving Thomas Tuchel searching for defensive solutions.
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Reece James will play again at the World Cup
For those England and Chelsea fans who may have had worries over whether Reece James will return during the tournament, it appears as if there is good news.
Thomas Tuchel has stated that there is a very good chance that James will return to play a further part in the World Cup, though it’s hard to predict with the knockout stages.
“He’s now on an accelerated recovery programme, but we strongly believe that he will be able to play for us again in the tournament. We will find solutions.”
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