England's World Cup 2026 campaign received a significant boost with the return of key players to training, but the team's prospects against Norway remain uncertain. Declan Rice, Marc Guehi, and Reece James, who were initially sidelined due to injury and illness, have now joined their teammates in Miami, providing a much-needed morale lift for the squad.
Rice, who had been isolated due to illness after the last-16 win over Mexico, and Guehi, who missed a training session with a hamstring issue, both participated in the session, offering a glimmer of hope for their availability in the upcoming quarter-final. However, James, who has been managing a hamstring problem, is unlikely to start the match, marking his first team training session in nearly three weeks.
The absence of Jordan Henderson, who suffered a broken wrist and arm during the celebrations, and the two-game ban for Jarell Quansah, further compound the team's challenges. Despite these setbacks, the presence of Rice, Guehi, and James in training is a positive sign for the team's morale and tactical options.
The focus now shifts to the match against Norway, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher tipping a narrow 2-1 win for England. Carragher acknowledges Norway's strengths, particularly the goal-scoring prowess of Erling Haaland, but warns against underestimating their opponents. He highlights Norway's performance against Brazil, where they dominated possession in the second half, indicating a more comprehensive threat than just Haaland's goals.
Carragher's comments underscore the importance of respecting Norway's capabilities, despite their underdog status. The match promises an intriguing contest, with England's ability to manage their squad's fitness and tactical adjustments being pivotal in their pursuit of a World Cup final appearance.
