2026 World Cup: Thomas Tuchel’s England need not panic after Ghana draw

Former England captain Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: “I expect changes for Thomas Tuchel now against Panama on Saturday night.

“England checked, but there are a few details in that game that Tuchel will look at with the team and try to improve.

“When a team sits in a low block, you have to cross the ball. It’s very difficult to defend. I don’t think we crossed the ball in 90 minutes.”

England captain Harry Kane played well in the first half and had just two touches in Ghana’s penalty area, although he did make the most of a late chance.

The Three Lions’ midfield is also one-dimensional, raising questions about what kind of impact a creator like Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White can have, or someone with the intelligent passing of Adam Wharton.

A couple of absent players – Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Phil Foden – may have helped break down a busy Ghana side, but their club form was not good enough and it’s easy to be smart after the show.

Tuchel, however, insists Dylan Rice and Elio Anderson will build the midfield platform – but England will undoubtedly be short of ideas and options for long.

“They were very compact, 5-4-1 off the ball and tight spaces to play, but on the other hand we could do a lot with the ball,” Rice told BBC Sport.

“You have to give credit to Ghana. It’s tough and they’re good players so it’s never going to be an easy game. We have one more group game to top the group so we have to be positive.”

“Many advanced nations drew the first game so there is no need to be negative or lose. We will stay positive.”