Guehi and Rice doubts as England face injury crisis ahead of Norway World Cup quarter-final

England face a mounting injury crisis ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday, with Thomas Tuchel uncertain over the fitness of central defender Marc Guehi and midfielder Declan Rice as the squad recovers from its dramatic last-16 win over Mexico.

Guehi has missed training this week after picking up a hamstring problem during the Mexico match and is considered a doubt for the quarter-final if he cannot return to full training on Friday. Rice, meanwhile, has been absent from sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday while battling a sickness bug, compounding an existing neural issue affecting his hamstring and lower back.

The defensive picture is further complicated by the confirmed absence of Jarell Quansah, who is serving a two-match FIFA suspension after receiving a red card against Mexico. With Quansah ruled out, Tuchel is expected to deploy Djed Spence at right-back, a selection that allows the manager to preserve his preferred central defensive partnership — provided Guehi recovers in time.

There is, however, a potential boost on the horizon. Chelsea’s Reece James has been stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury and is hoping to play some part against Norway after missing the last three games. Starting James from the off would represent a significant gamble given his lack of match sharpness, but his return would offer Tuchel welcome options in a depleted backline.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has offered more encouraging news, declaring himself fully fit despite the Achilles issue that has seen his minutes carefully managed throughout the tournament. Saka stressed that his focus is entirely on helping England win, whether through goals, assists, or defensive work, and called on the squad to set aside the emotion of the Mexico victory and concentrate on the different challenge Norway presents.

England’s path to the semi-finals runs through a Norway side that will demand a composed and organised defensive display — precisely the area where Tuchel’s options are currently stretched thinnest.