England entered the World Cup with one of the deepest squads in international football, particularly at right back. For years, the Three Lions have been blessed with elite talent at the position, with stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Tino Livramento, and several emerging defenders all competing for minutes. But as the tournament unfolds, that depth has suddenly become a growing concern rather than a luxury.
In recent weeks, England has seen an alarming string of setbacks involving its right-back options. Tino Livramento suffered an injury just days before the World Cup, ruling him out of contention at a crucial moment. Reece James was also forced to withdraw before England’s clash with Panama, leaving the squad without another experienced defender. During that same match, Jarell Quansah—who had been asked to fill a defensive role—also picked up an injury, adding to England’s mounting list of absentees.
The unfortunate sequence has prompted fans across social media to jokingly refer to the situation as “England’s right-back curse.” While the phrase is more humorous than factual, there’s no denying that the national team has endured an extraordinary run of bad luck at one of its strongest positions.
Ironically, the injuries have also brought renewed attention to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Long debated for his defensive strengths and weaknesses, the Real Madrid star now appears even more important to England’s World Cup ambitions. His world-class passing range, creativity, and experience on the biggest stages could prove invaluable as the tournament progresses.
England manager Thomas Tuchel still possesses quality throughout the squad, but depth can disappear quickly when multiple injuries strike the same position. Maintaining defensive stability will be critical as the competition enters its knockout rounds, where every mistake can determine a nation’s fate.
Whether fans believe in curses or simply chalk it up to unfortunate timing, England’s right-back situation has become one of the tournament’s most talked-about storylines. If Alexander-Arnold remains healthy, he could play one of the most significant roles of his international career. And if England hopes to lift the World Cup trophy, avoiding any further injuries at right back may be just as important as scoring goals.