Player profile
Reece James
Defender · Chelsea
Chelsea captain Reece James battled a recurring hamstring problem through the 2026 World Cup, missing large chunks of the tournament before England went on to win bronze.
Career
An academy graduate who now captains Chelsea, James has been troubled by hamstring injuries throughout his career — ten separate occasions since December 2020 — which have repeatedly disrupted his run of England caps.
He was named in Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad but reported hamstring tightness after England's group-stage draw with Ghana and missed the Panama game and the early knockout rounds as a result.
How they play
An attacking right-back with a powerful long-range shot, James is regarded as one of the best in his position in world football on his best form, but injuries have limited how much of that form England fans have actually seen.
Where they are now
James was unable to train with England in Mexico City ahead of the last-16 match as he continued his recovery, with Tuchel managing his return through the closing stages of the tournament.
Bio
Club career
- Wigan Athletic F.C.2018–2019
- Chelsea F.C.2018
International career
- England men's national association football teamSince 2020Current
Youth caps: U21 (2019) · U20 (2017–2019) · U19 (2017–2018) · U18 (2017)
Honours
No honours on record yet.
Latest season stats (ESPN)
In our archive
- England 6–4 FranceWSubstitute · #24 · on 83'
Sources
- ESPN athlete profileJul 18, 2026
- WikidataJul 18, 2026
- Player photo — Bryan BerlinCC BY-SA 4.0
Read for this profile
- Sky Sports — Reece James injury: England right-back's World Cup potentially over due to hamstring problemAugust 7, 2026
- Newsweek — England's Reece James Dealt Major Blow Amid World CupAugust 7, 2026
Profile written / last reviewed August 7, 2026.
Data note: Ambiguous: 2 footballers matched this name on Wikidata (Q16235475, Q39076401); picked Q39076401 — age matched ESPN.
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