England confirmed team news vs Norway as Thomas Tuchel makes controversial change

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 10: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, looks on during an England training session at the Inter Miami CF Training Facility one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Norway and England on July 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images).

England have advanced to the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup having beaten Croatia, Panama, DR Congo and Mexico en route.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been the star men of this England tournament display, whilst the persistent problem facing Tuchel has been options at right-back.

Djed Spence has deputised in the place of Reece James, who remains sidelined, or at the very least unable to start in Miami this evening.

England team news vs Norway

These two are starting, don't fret (Image credit: Getty Images)

Back-up option Jarell Quansah missed the Round of 32 fixture against DR Congo with an ankle problem and was then sent off after VAR review in the 3-2 Round of 16 win over Mexico. He has been handed a two-match ban, meaning his only remaining participation will come in the World Cup Final, should England make it that far.

Spence picked up an injury in the lead up to the Mexico game and was only deployed as a second half substitute, but he is not the man Tuchel has chosen at right-back this evening.

Ezri Konsa (L) will start at right-back (Image credit: Getty Images)

Instead, the German boss has decided on Ezri Konsa at right-back, moving the Aston Villa man over from central defence and replacing him there with veteran centre-half John Stones.

Stones and Marc Guehi, both teammates of Norway's Erling Haaland, will be tasked with keeping a lid on the seven-goal striker who will have eyes on the Golden Boot, as well as taking the Norsemen as far as he can.

Tuchel has elected to keep 6ft 7in defender Dan Burn as an impact substitute, as was the case against Mexico, instead of using him to try and thwart Haaland by matching the Manchester City forward physically.

Perhaps controversially, Tuchel is expected to name Noni Madueke on the right-hand side of attack in his starting lineup.

The Arsenal winger will replace clubmate Bukayo Saka after sitting out the Mexico fixture as an unused substitute.

It's going to be a hot one in Miami Gardens with a 'feels like' temperature of 44 degrees (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's opinion, these are bold team selection picks by Tuchel, but that is very much in keeping with the manager's reputation and demeanour. He is not afraid to make big calls at big times and remains the best man to make those decisions given his proximity to the squad.

Opting for Madueke over Saka will trouble some England fans but Tuchel evidently has a plan.

Confirmed England XI: Pickford; Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice, Bellingham; Madueke, Gordon, Kane.

Subs: D.Henderson, Trafford, Chalobah, Burn, James, Spence, Mainoo, Rogers, Eze, Saka, Rashford, Watkins, Toney