England host Albania in their first 2026 World Cup qualifier tonight, with Thomas Tuchel handed debuts to Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
New manager Tuchel sprung a number of surprises when naming his maiden Three Lions squad last week, most notably in handing Jordan Henderson a recall.
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Lewis-Skelly and Burn were the new call-ups hoping to make their respective debuts, and Tuchel has obliged from the off.
Reece James is hoping to win his first cap in two years, having been immediately recalled by Tuchel, under whom he won the Champions League at Chelsea, but Kyle Walker gets the nod.
Of the 26-man squad Tuchel initially named last week, only Cole Palmer is missing, with the playmaker having picked up a minor injury ahead of Chelsea’s defeat by Arsenal last weekend. Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was the beneficiary, earning a late call-up in Palmer’s place.
However, Gibbs-White has been omitted from the 23-man matchday squad alongside Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah and Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The squeeze on attacking positions behind captain Harry Kane is also eased by the absence of Bukayo Saka, a Southgate favourite who is still on his way back from a hamstring injury. Marcus Rashford will support Kane, with Phil Foden on the other side and Jude Bellingham in behind.
Confirmed team news
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Konsa, Burn, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Bellingham, Jones, Foden, Rashford, Kane
Albania XI: Strakosha; Balliu, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Aliji; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Bajrami, Laci; Uzuni
Injured: Palmer
Time and date: 7.45pm GMT on Friday March 21, 2025
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)
How to watch: ITV
