World Cup 2026: England defender Marc Guehi a serious doubt for quarter-final clash with Norway

Marc Guehi is a serious doubt for England’s World Cup quarter-final on Saturday against Norway as he battles a hamstring strain picked up in the win over Mexico.

Guehi didn't take part in the final training session in Kansas City, Sky Sports News understands, but Thomas Tuchel has not yet given up hope that he will be able to start the game.

The Manchester City defender was seen walking around the edge of the pitch at England's Swope Soccer training base on Thursday, but it's now clear he wasn't able to join his teammates on the grass. The problem is not thought to be serious, but time is running out for Guehi to prove his fitness.

• England's route to the World Cup final
• World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup
• Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App

Dan Burn is pushing to come into the England defence, should Guehi not make it.

Burn came on in the 75th minute in the Azteca Stadium, and he was outstanding in the backs-to-the-wall victory, making six clearances - the most by any substitute at a World Cup since records began in 1966. That performance has impressed Tuchel, who is formulating a plan to try to counter the physicality of Norway's star man, Erling Haaland.

Rice and James remain concerns for England

Elsewhere, Declan Rice and Reece James remain concerns for Tuchel, who has some big decisions to make.

Rice is being kept away from the rest of his teammates after being struck down with a stomach complaint following the trip to Mexico, but contrary to reports elsewhere, no other England player has been affected. England's medical staff are thought to be confident Rice will be able to feature in the quarter-final after he has been given further fluids and medication.

As for James, while it is clear he is desperate to play and feels ready to answer Tuchel's call at right-back, the hamstring injury that has stopped him from training with the squad for almost three weeks is still a major concern.

The England head coach will have to take advice from his medical staff later today about whether James can be risked, with the danger of him aggravating the injury, which would certainly put an end to his tournament.

Analysis: Is Burn the answer to England's defensive problems?

Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:

Dan Burn spent nearly five World Cup matches watching on from the bench, but now he could be dropped into England's biggest games in 60 years - against one of the biggest players in the world.

Nobody has been successful in keeping Erling Haaland quiet at the World Cup so far. Seven goals across four games puts him in the top two or three deadliest players England could face in this tournament. With Thomas Tuchel struggling for defensive numbers, it's a huge problem.

But after Burn got his first taste of World Cup action as a defensive battering ram in the last 15 minutes against Mexico, Tuchel may have found himself the perfect solution with the 6ft 7in defender.

In the Premier League, Haaland has failed to score against Burn in their team's last seven meetings - albeit some of those games coming against the Newcastle man as a left-back.

The more recent numbers give more encouragement - Burn won all 12 of his duels against Haaland in the defensive third of the pitch during the season just gone.

"I do enjoy playing against Erling purely just from a physical point of view," said Burn this week. "If I'm asked to do that, I'll be more than ready and more than happy to do that.

"I quite like that sort of physical battle, and I get on well with him on the pitch. Although you'd have to ask him if he thinks the same thing."

Another player who has a similar Haaland record to Burn against Ezri Konsa. The Aston Villa defender allowed Haaland to score in their first Premier League meeting, but has kept him quiet in the four matches since.

"He's quick, strong, powerful and scores any kind of goals - head, feet, you name it," said Konsa to ITV this week. "We have to be aware of his qualities and try to keep him quiet."

That's part of the problem - keeping Haaland quiet only takes you so far. In the last match against Brazil, Gabriel - one of the outstanding Premier League defenders - kept Haaland quiet for 80 minutes, limiting him to so few touches on the ball.

But he still ended up with two goals, with his first seeing him clamber over Gabriel from a left-wing cross to head home emphatically.

"You have to stay focused, especially with him," added Konsa. "Against Brazil he scored in the 80th minute.

"Especially in this heat, when things aren't going well and you get tired, it's important you go back to the mentality and the mental strength to keep going."

Konsa gave a clue into how Haaland could be stopped. "Stop the crosses, one million per cent, is key," he said - and is particularly pertinent given how Haaland overpowered Gabriel in the last game.

But it is worth remembering that Haaland is used to getting one over Gabriel - this season's Premier League title aside.

The Man City striker has scored in each of his last four games against Gabriel's Arsenal - and bullied the Brazilian in a similar way for the winning goal of their last Premier League meeting in April.

Konsa and Burn's record of shutting Haaland out in recent games should therefore act as a major psychological boost, should the England pair start.

Quansah given two-match ban for red card against Mexico

Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah has been given a two-match ban following his red card in England's last-16 win over Mexico.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender was given a straight red following a VAR review of a challenge on Jesus Gallardo in the second half at the Estadio Azteca, but Thomas Tuchel's men hung on for a famous 3-2 victory.

The tackle has been deemed "serious foul play" under FIFA's disciplinary code and the governing body announced on Thursday that Quansah will serve an immediate suspension, ruling him out of Saturday's quarter-final with Norway in Miami and a possible semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland.

A FIFA statement read: "The FIFA disciplinary committee has imposed the following sanction on England's national-team player Jarell Quansah, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Mexico and England played on 5 July 2026 at Mexico City Stadium:

"2-match suspension for a breach of article 14 of the FIFA disciplinary code.

"The suspension will be served in the upcoming match(es) of the representative team of England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and in accordance with art. 69 of the FIFA disciplinary code."

The Football Association was unable to appeal against the red card but is understood to have made its feelings known to FIFA earlier in the week, especially around the VAR process.

Haaland tells media to pile pressure on England ahead of World Cup clash

Norway striker Erling Haaland has told the media they "should put every single pressure on the English lads" ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with England.

Haaland has spearheaded Norway's first run to the last eight of the global tournament, scoring seven goals in five appearances as he has proved himself on the biggest stage.

The Manchester City striker, who was born in Leeds, will come up against some familiar faces in what he calls a "special game", but he was keen to put all the pressure on Thomas Tuchel's men.

Asked how he rated Norway's chances of winning the World Cup, Haaland told reporters in Miami: "Still really low.

"I think there's some clear favourites out there, England's one of them. I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads."

"It's a special game, definitely. I think for me it's super special, because I play in England and I was born in England, and you also play against team-mates and everything.

"It's a funny game and it's going to be nice.

"I think everyone should stay humble, they should be confident of progressing definitely, it's England."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: World Cup 2026: England defender Marc Guehi a serious doubt for quarter-final clash with Norway