World Cup 2026 live: James likely out for Panama; Schweinsteiger comments draw criticism; Ecuador declares holiday

England are facing a likely change at right-back for their World Cup match against Panama after reports said Reece James is set to miss the game because of a hamstring issue.

At the same time, Bastian Schweinsteiger has come under criticism from Côte d’Ivoire coach Emerse Fae over remarks about African teams, while Ecuador’s president has declared a national holiday after the team’s qualification for the knockout stage.

England weigh up right-back change

The Guardian’s live World Cup coverage said James is likely to miss the Panama match because of a hamstring problem. The Times also reported that he is unlikely to feature and that Ezri Konsa is in contention to play at right-back.

That would leave England, who face Panama on June 27, 2026, with a selection decision on the right side of defence as they continue through the group stage.

The reporting does not say James has been formally ruled out, but the available updates point to him being unavailable or rested for the match.

Schweinsteiger remarks draw criticism

The same live update said Côte d’Ivoire coach Emerse Fae criticised Schweinsteiger’s comments during the tournament.

Times of India reported that Fae described the remarks as racist, saying they were widely read as racially insensitive and had prompted a broader discussion about bias in football commentary.

Schweinsteiger, according to the Guardian’s account, defended his remarks as tactical analysis.

Ecuador celebrates with a holiday

Ecuador’s victory over Germany has produced one of the clearest off-field effects of the tournament so far. The Guardian reported that the country declared a national holiday after qualifying for the knockout stage.

The Sun reported that president Daniel Noboa announced the holiday after Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Germany. FIFA’s official schedule shows the two sides met on June 25, 2026.

The reports do not yet make clear whether the holiday is backed by a written decree or whether it is a one-day nationwide measure, but the political significance of the announcement is clear: Ecuador’s progress has triggered a public celebration beyond the stadium.

What to watch next

The immediate questions are whether England will formally confirm James is out, whether Tuchel’s staff settle on Konsa or another option at right-back, whether Schweinsteiger or the broadcaster responds further, and whether Ecuador issues more detail on the holiday.

For now, the three developments sit together as a fast-moving slice of World Cup news: a likely England defensive adjustment, a public dispute over how African teams are discussed, and a national celebration in Ecuador after a landmark result.