World Cup 2026: Marcus Rashford doubt casts shadow over England’s Ghana clash

England’s preparations for their next World Cup fixture against Ghana have been disrupted by fresh injury concerns, with Marcus Rashford reportedly set to miss the game after sustaining a minor muscle issue.

The forward, who played a decisive role in England’s opening 4-2 victory over Croatia, is said to have complained of tightness following the match. He capped a lively performance with a late goal, finishing off a well-worked move involving Bukayo Saka, as England opened their Group Stage campaign in strong fashion.

However, that momentum has been checked by fitness worries that now place his availability in serious doubt for Tuesday’s meeting in Boston.

Training absence raises alarm for Tuchel

Reports indicate Rashford did not take part in a recent practice session involving non-starters against Sporting Kansas City, a match England won comfortably 5-1. His absence from the session has intensified concern within the camp, particularly given the tight scheduling of fixtures.

England manager Thomas Tuchel, whose side are among the favourites to progress from the group alongside opponents such as Ghana, is now managing a growing list of physical issues across his squad. Rashford’s condition is understood to be precautionary at this stage, but the timing has created uncertainty ahead of a key fixture.

Mounting injury list ahead of Ghana test

England’s preparations are being complicated by a cluster of fitness problems affecting several key players. Harry Kane is managing cramp issues after the opening game, while Saka has been dealing with Achilles discomfort.

Defensive depth has also been disrupted, with Trevoh Chalobah drafted into the squad setup following Tino Livramento’s withdrawal and return home due to injury.

The accumulation of knocks has forced coaching staff to carefully monitor workloads, particularly with the tournament entering a decisive phase. Rashford’s situation now adds further strain to an already stretched squad as they prepare to face Ghana.

Final preparations in Kansas City

England are scheduled to continue training at their base in Kansas City over the weekend before travelling to Boston early next week. Tuchel is expected to provide a clearer update on player availability closer to kick-off.

The match against Ghana will be a key test of squad depth and adaptability, especially if England are forced to proceed without one of their most dynamic attacking options.