Kobbie Mainoo is finally getting his shot at the World Cup. The 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder is expected to start for England against Panama on Saturday evening, according to reports from the Daily Mail. It would be his first appearance in the tournament after sitting out the opening two group matches.
England’s midfield has looked sluggish. Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Ghana was a slog — Thomas Tuchel’s side couldn’t break down a compact African defense, and the lack of creativity in the middle was glaring. Declan Rice is dealing with a calf issue, which opens the door for Mainoo. The plan, per the reports, is to pair Mainoo with Elliot Anderson in central midfield, while Jude Bellingham keeps his advanced role behind the striker.
Why Mainoo Now?
Mainoo closed the season strong for Manchester United. Under Michael Carrick, who took over as interim manager late in the campaign, Mainoo became a regular starter and helped United lock down a Champions League spot. He’s got quick feet, good vision, and isn’t afraid to take risks in possession — exactly what England lacked against Ghana.
He also has big tournament experience. Mainoo was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2024 final, playing key minutes in the knockout rounds. So it’s not like he’s being thrown into the deep end with no preparation. The question is whether Tuchel trusts him to unlock a Panama team that will likely sit deep and try to counter.
Group L Standings Are Tight
England leads Group L on four points, level with Ghana. Panama has three points, and Croatia sits at one. Saturday’s results will decide everything. England needs a win to guarantee top spot — if they draw or lose, goal difference could drop them to second. That matters because the group winner faces one of the best third-place teams in the Round of 32. A second-place finish means a matchup with the runner-up in Group K, currently Portugal. No easy path either way, but Tuchel would rather avoid Portugal this early.
Mainoo’s inclusion suggests Tuchel is prioritizing control and creativity over physicality. Anderson offers energy and pressing, while Bellingham provides the goal threat from deeper positions. It’s a lineup built to dominate possession and create chances against a Panama side that held Croatia to a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stage.
Panama isn’t a pushover. They’ve got pace on the wings and a physical center back pairing. England will need to be sharp in the final third — something they haven’t been so far in this tournament. Mainoo’s ability to drive forward and find passes between the lines could be the difference.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. local time on Saturday. England hasn’t officially confirmed the lineup yet, but all signs point to Mainoo getting the nod.
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