Wayne Rooney has raised serious concerns about England’s ability to challenge for the World Cup following their narrow and unconvincing victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that the team’s current structure leaves them vulnerable against stronger opposition.

England eventually edged past Congo in a tightly contested knockout match, but the performance drew heavy scrutiny from the former England captain, who questioned whether Thomas Tuchel’s side are functioning well enough as a unit to progress much further in the tournament.

Speaking after the game, Rooney pointed to what he described as a lack of cohesion in midfield, suggesting that England were too stretched in central areas and struggled to connect play effectively between defence and attack. He argued that these gaps in the middle of the pitch are becoming a recurring problem and could seriously undermine their chances of going deep into the competition.

In his view, England’s structure looked disjointed for large periods of the match, with players often isolated and unable to maintain consistent control. He stressed that if these issues are not addressed quickly, England risk being eliminated by higher-quality opposition in the knockout stages.

Looking ahead, England are now set to face Mexico in Mexico City in what promises to be one of their toughest matches of the tournament so far. The co-hosts have impressed strongly, remaining unbeaten and yet to concede a goal, having won all of their group-stage fixtures. Their defensive record and home advantage will present a significant challenge for Tuchel’s squad.

Should England manage to overcome Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca, their potential path through the tournament only becomes more difficult. A likely quarter-final clash with Brazil could follow, with defending champions Argentina possibly awaiting in the semi-finals. Rooney suggested that based on current performances, England would need major improvements to survive such a demanding route.

Rooney’s analysis was not limited to midfield concerns. He also revisited England’s defensive performance against Congo, highlighting individual errors that led to the opposition’s opening goal. He questioned the decision-making of centre-backs Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, suggesting that their positioning and judgement were not at the required level for a tournament of this magnitude.

According to Rooney, England looked “off the pace” in several areas of the pitch, with defensive organisation being one of the most worrying aspects. He implied that lapses in concentration and inconsistent structure could prove costly against more clinical opponents.

He also focused on the right-back position, where Djed Spence endured a difficult evening. Rooney described Spence’s performance as uncertain and at times nervous, suggesting that England currently lack stability in that role. He emphasised that this position is now a major tactical concern for Tuchel, particularly in high-pressure knockout matches.

The former striker went further, stating that the absence of experienced options in that area could become a decisive factor in England’s tournament fate. He revealed that, in his opinion, the coaching staff should have considered more drastic measures before the tournament began to strengthen that position.

Rooney referenced the injury situation involving Tino Livramento, suggesting that England should have acted more decisively when that setback occurred. He said that in such circumstances, experienced alternatives should have been considered, naming Kyle Walker as a player he believes could still contribute at international level.

In Rooney’s view, Walker’s experience and defensive reliability would have provided England with much-needed stability, particularly in knockout football where defensive mistakes are often punished severely. He argued that bringing in a seasoned player of Walker’s calibre could have helped reduce uncertainty in the back line.

He admitted that this is a bold suggestion, but maintained that tournament football often requires pragmatic decisions rather than long-term planning. In his assessment, England may now be paying the price for not reinforcing that area of the squad more strongly.

Despite his criticism of the team’s overall performance, Rooney did reserve significant praise for Harry Kane, who once again proved decisive in front of goal. Kane’s contribution included two goals, taking his World Cup tally to an impressive total and reaffirming his importance to the national side.

Rooney described Kane’s first goal as a powerful and well-executed header that demonstrated his technical ability and timing in the air. He was even more impressed with the second goal, calling it an outstanding finish that reflected Kane’s status as one of the elite forwards in world football.

He emphasised that at major tournaments, top players are expected to make the difference in crucial moments, and Kane has consistently delivered in that regard for England. Rooney labelled him as the team’s standout star and someone who continues to carry the side in difficult matches.

However, he stressed that even Kane’s brilliance cannot mask the underlying structural issues within the team. While individual quality has helped England progress so far, Rooney warned that relying on moments of inspiration alone will not be enough against stronger opposition.

He reiterated his concerns about the balance of the team, particularly in midfield and defence, where he believes England have not yet found the right combination of players or tactical stability. In his view, these weaknesses were exposed even in victory, which he considers a worrying sign.

Rooney concluded that although England’s ability to win matches remains intact, their overall level of performance must improve significantly if they are to compete for the title. He warned that without clear tactical adjustments and better cohesion across the pitch, England could face an early exit from the tournament.

Despite these concerns, he acknowledged that knockout football ultimately comes down to results, and England have once again found a way to progress. However, he made it clear that survival alone is not enough for a squad with title ambitions.

As England prepare for their clash with Mexico, pressure is mounting not only on the players but also on the coaching staff to address the tactical issues highlighted by critics. Whether those adjustments are made in time could determine how far England go in the competition.

For now, the team moves forward, but with serious questions surrounding their structure, consistency, and ability to compete at the highest level when facing elite international opposition.