Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Well Guy, there’s a grid of 495 potential combinations of third-placed teams.

The specific eight groups that provide the qualifiers determine where the countries go.

So, for example, as the only combinations remaining for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sweden and Paraguay send them to one group we already know their fixtures.

Whatever tonight's result, England's place in the knockout stages of the World Cup has been confirmed before they face Panama in their final group game.

The Three Lions sit on four points after two games - meaning they are at least guaranteed one of the eight third-placed qualification spots.

Four other teams sit on four points - Sweden, Ecuador, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Paraguay - with four groups, including England's still to wrap up.

Uruguay's defeat by Spain on Saturday was the result that confirmed the Three Lions' place in the last 32.

Image source, Getty Images

England go into the final match of the group stages knowing that a draw will be enough to confirm them as Group L winners if Ghana and Croatia also draw.

If the Three Lions win on Saturday, only a big victory for Ghana would knock them off top spot - Ghana would have to exceed England's winning margin by two goals.

Should England lose, Ghana would go above them into top spot with a victory over Croatia, while Croatia could leapfrog them both with a win in their final game.

Image source, Getty Images

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

I could also understand if Tuchel brought John Stones back in for Ezri Konsa. Although our main issue against Ghana was being unable to break them down, there were still some concerns defensively.

In the two real attacks that Ghana had when they managed to get forward, one could have seen them win a penalty and the other one could have ended with Jordan Pickford getting a red card.

We got away with it both times, but Tuchel has changed things in his defence and there is no doubt that there is some uncertainty back there.

I don't know if that has affected Pickford too, but he has not looked assured so far as he normally does.

In the first game, his distribution was pretty poor and then he got caught out against Ghana when he came rushing out, so maybe those changes did not help his situation either.

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel said in his pre-Panama news conference that he was happy with calling up Trevoh Chalobah in place of the injured Tino Livramento, because it freed Jarell Quansah as a full-back option.

The England manager did also mention Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa for that position, but both of those have played for the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup at left-back and centre-back, respectively.

With some rotation likely to be a factor in England's final group-stage match, could we see the Bayer Leverkusen and former Liverpool defender fill the space made vacant by Reece James' hamstring injury?

And is it a case of bad planning or just par for the course in tournament football that England should have to rely on a makeshift full-back?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Both Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers have played in the wide areas for Arsenal and Aston Villa, respectively, further adding to Thomas Tuchel's embarrassment when it comes to attacking options.

Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are the names in the frame to challenge Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke for a place in the starting XI against Panama, but Tuchel could well go down another route for Saturday's game.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

Probably the biggest call for Tuchel is what he does with his wingers.

I didn't think Anthony Gordon or Noni Madueke were positive enough against Ghana. By that I mean they didn't attack their defender enough when we got the ball out to them out wide.

Their crossing was really poor as well, and often it didn't beat the first man. Our delivery from set-pieces was not great either, but in open play the service from the wingers was pretty much non-existent.

That's why I think Tuchel will change it up, and Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have definitely done enough when they have come on in both games to get a chance to start.

Saka's fitness is surely the only reason he hasn't started either game so far, but if he's ready this time then he would come in on the right, with Rashford on the left.

What I want to see from both of them is more energy and to be more direct in one against one situations by trying to go past players.

There also needs to be more forward passing rather than taking the easy option by going sideways or backwards.

Will Thomas Tuchel make changes in wide areas against Panama?

We compared the performance of his respective wingers from last season.

Image source, Getty Images

Marcus Rashford is vying for a starting berth in Thomas Tuchel's England team, having made a positive impact as a substitute in the first two matches of the World Cup, and scoring against Croatia.

Tuchel says the fluidity of his left-hand side has not been what it was prior to the tournament, and he is working to solve this issue.

"The whole left side struggled a little bit," he said.

"They played so well in the game before the World Cup, against Costa Rica and we thought the left side was solved. Nico (O'Reilly) and Declan (Rice) and Anthony (Gordon) played with so much freedom and so much connection between them. They struggled in these two matches. Not so sure exactly why. The left unit is struggling to have the same impact as previous games.

"You grow into a tournament. You have to overcome a bit of individual adversity. It is a test of trust and a test of belief. There is no need to take them out and punish them. We have every right to trust them again but other players are pushing so let's see."

Want to hear more from Thomas Tuchel?

BBC Sport's Kelly Somers sat down with England boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of England v Panama. Watch below.

Humble words from Marc Guehi, who will be hoping to start his second consecutive match for England on Saturday.

Thomas Tuchel has some selection headaches going into the match against Panama, having made two changes to his starting XI for the draw with Ghana.

Image source, Getty Images

England defender Marc Guehi, who is playing at his first World Cup, was asked about his journey from a young age and any advice he would give to aspiring youngsters: "I wouldn't say it was a dream come true because to be honest, I never expected to be in this position. Every single day is a dream. More than a dream.

"To be in this position is a lot of responsibility. I have a lot of responsibility, not just to myself and my family but for those around the world who have this dream and want to achieve something that I want to achieve. Looking out, it is important that they know it is more than possible.

"If I am here, they have even more of a chance to be here and do far more than I ever will."

England

Image source, Getty Images

England defender Marc Guehi on the challenge of facing Panama: "I think we just have to stay focused on ourselves and it doesn't really matter whether the Panama are still in the competition or not, I think their goal is always the same. To do as well as possible and do their country proud.

"For us, it is to try and improve on the things from the last game. It will be a similar game but if we can do that, I think it will be a real positive."

Joining Thomas Tuchel for England's pre-match news conference was Manchester City's Marc Guehi.

The defender didn't feature in the Three Lions' opener against Croatia but was reinstated to the starting XI for the draw with Ghana.

Beau Brown
BBC Sport

If Thomas Tuchel decides to do a Norway and rotate his squad, Jordan Henderson could make English history.

If Henderson makes it on to the pitch at this World Cup, he’ll become the first-ever England player to play at four World Cups.

Henderson was first picked by Roy Hodgson in 2014 for the World Cup in Brazil and also played in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Henderson is just 10 caps from a century and has made 11 appearances across the three most recent World Cups, captaining the side in 2016 under then newly appointed Gareth Southgate.

Whether it be Hodgson, Southgate or current boss Thomas Tuchel, Henderson has been the one constant in the rise of the England side since a dreary group stage exit 12 years ago in Brazil.

Image source, Getty Images