Marcus Rashford starts for England against Panama in World Cup 2026 group stage

Marcus Rashford has been named in England’s starting lineup for their final World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Panama, earning his first start of the tournament after impressing as a substitute in earlier games.

The match takes place on June 27, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff set for approximately 5 p.m. ET (10 p.m. BST).

Why Rashford starts now

England manager Thomas Tuchel has opted to deploy Rashford on the left wing, replacing Anthony Gordon in the starting eleven. The decision follows Rashford’s impact off the bench earlier in the tournament, where he scored against Croatia to help England pick up a crucial win.

Rashford is not the only change Tuchel has made. Kobbie Mainoo is also expected to feature in the starting lineup, signaling that the England boss is willing to rotate while still fielding a competitive side.

The Group L picture

England enter the match sitting on 4 points in Group L, having beaten Croatia and drawn with Ghana in their first two outings. A win against Panama would secure top spot in the group.

Panama, by contrast, has already been eliminated. They lost both of their previous group games against Ghana and Croatia, meaning they arrive at MetLife Stadium with nothing left to play for in terms of tournament progression.

What Rashford brings to the table

Rashford’s pace and directness on the left wing give England a different dimension compared to what Anthony Gordon offers. While Gordon provides defensive discipline and work rate, Rashford’s ability to drive at defenders and create chances from wide areas could be exactly what England need against a Panama side that will likely sit deep and try to frustrate.

His goal against Croatia demonstrated that he can deliver in tournament football at the highest level. Starting him now, against an already-eliminated opponent, also gives Tuchel a chance to build Rashford’s confidence and sharpness ahead of the knockout rounds.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.