Tuchel drops Saka and shifts Konsa to right-back for England's World Cup quarter-final vs Norway

Thomas Tuchel has named Noni Madueke in England’s starting lineup ahead of Bukayo Saka for the 2026 World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami, with Ezri Konsa shifted from central defence to right-back in the absence of the injured Reece James.

England arrive at the last eight having beaten Croatia, Panama, DR Congo and Mexico, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane the standout performers of the tournament so far. The right-back position has been a persistent headache for Tuchel throughout: James has been unable to start, Djed Spence picked up an injury before the Mexico game and was used only as a second-half substitute, and Jarell Quansah is serving a two-match ban after being sent off via VAR review in the 3-2 round-of-16 win over Mexico.

With those options unavailable or restricted, Tuchel has turned to Aston Villa’s Konsa, sliding him across from his natural centre-back role. John Stones fills the vacancy in central defence alongside Marc Guehi, and the pair will face the immediate challenge of containing Erling Haaland — Norway’s seven-goal striker who is in contention for the Golden Boot.

Madueke’s inclusion on the right side of attack is the selection that is likely to generate the most debate among England supporters. The Arsenal winger sat out the Mexico fixture as an unused substitute, while Saka — his club teammate — drops to the bench. Tuchel had also kept 6ft 7in defender Dan Burn as an impact substitute against Mexico rather than deploying him from the start to match Haaland physically, and that approach appears set to continue.

Expected England XI: Pickford (GK); Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson, Bellingham; Gordon, Madueke, Kane.