A late brace from Harry Kane secured a win for England against Albania in their final match of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
The visitors started well but faded as the first half went on, with Albania frustrating an experimental starting eleven that included Jarrod Bowen, Jarell Quansah and Adam Wharton.
The second half saw both sides spurn good chances but England began to pile on pressure, with substitutes including Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford helping the side to gain control before the former’s corner found Kane a couple of yards out, and the captain bundled in for his 77th England goal.
And Kane had time to score his 78th too, taking himself past Pele’s goal tally for Brazil with a header that secured eight wins from eight for Thomas Tuchel’s flawless Three Lions side.
Follow latest updates from Albania v England, below
Albania vs England live: Latest score and updates
- England beat Albania 2-0 in final World Cup qualifier
- England complete perfect 100 per cent qualifying record with zero goals conceded
- 82' GOAL! Kane gets brace after superb Rashford cross [ALB 0-2 ENG]
- 74' GOAL! Kane breaks deadlock from corner [ALB 0-1 ENG]
Thomas Tuchel unimpressed as Jude Bellingham reaction takes shine off England win
Sunday 16 November 2025 20:53 , Richard JollyIt was the return that came with a rebuke. Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel are reunited but, for the second time in a few months, the England manager found fault with the resident superstar’s behaviour. This time, at least, he did not deem him “repulsive”. But the hint was that he had been too selfish. The way his comeback ended prompted Tuchel to criticise him again.
If England, already qualified for the World Cup, had little to play before besides a perfect record they sustained with an imperfect performance, Bellingham had plenty to gain, or indeed lose. A first start for his country since June could not be pronounced an unqualified success: not when Tuchel deemed his reaction to being removed egotistical.
Thomas Tuchel unimpressed as Jude Bellingham reaction takes shine off England win
Harry Kane scores twice as England ease to victory in Albania
Sunday 16 November 2025 19:58 , Chris WilsonEngland completed a perfect World Cup qualification campaign in Albania as Harry Kane’s late brace secured Thomas Tuchel’s side an eighth victory without conceding.
Having sealed their place in North America with two matches to spare, the back-to-back European Championship runners-up ended their first year under the German coach as it began.
Tuchel oversaw a 2-0 triumph against Albania in his first match as England boss and 240 days later saw his much-changed side survive a couple of scares on their way to victory by the same scoreline in Tirana.
Harry Kane scores twice as England ease to victory in Albania
FULL-TIME! Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:58 , Chris WilsonThe full-time thoughts of Richard Jolly at the Air Albania Stadium:
“Jude Bellingham is back but that was another win England could chalk up to Harry Kane. But also to Thomas Tuchel's subs, with Saka and Rashford helping to set up the two goals. Plenty of food for thought for Tuchel. Dean Henderson did his cause no harm. Not sure Bowen and Eze made the most of their starts, though.”
FULL-TIME! Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:55 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the final whistle and that is that! England take eight wins from eight from the campaign with zero goals conceded.
Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:52 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
CLOSE! Not far from a hat-trick for Kane, as he picks up the ball in the area but can’t find the angle for the shot before blasting it wide via a deflection.
Moments later, Rashford tries his luck from distance but it fizzes wide of the far post.
Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:49 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Into the first of five minutes of added time as Armando Broja is lifted onto a stretcher to be taken off. Worrying times for the Burnley man, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:46 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Those goals seem to have taken the wind out of the Albania sails. Not a lot going on as the match approaches the final whistle, though Broja is now down and needs treatment.
Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:43 , Chris Wilson84 mins
Thise goals for Kane are his 77th and 78th for England, in 112 outings. That means the England captain has more international goals than Pele!
Another sub for England, with Bellingham off for Morgan Rogers.
GOAL! Albania 0-2 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:41 , Chris Wilson82 mins
GOAL! England have their second.
It all comes from a superb ball from Marcus Rashford. He picks it up on the left and stands up his man before fizzing in a lovely diagonal cross to the back post, where Kane is there to head back across Strakosha and into the far corner!
Albania 0-1 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:39 , Richard Jolly in TiranaThe thoughts of Richard Jolly in Tirana:
“Is a corner that took a flick off an Albania defender one for Harry Kane's NFL style playbook of set pieces?”
Albania 0-1 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:38 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Bellingham is the latest player in the book as he drags down Armando Broja, who recently came on for Bajrami.
The free-kick is in a dangerous position and it’s clipped in to Djimsiti, who heads over from six yards!
Albania 0-1 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:36 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Another half-chance for England as the ball breaks for Saka in the box. He lures Strakosha off his line but can’t find the cutback to Foden.
In the meantime, England made two more subs - Marcus Rashford and Elliot Anderson come on for Bowen and Wharton.
GOAL! Albania 0-1 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:33 , Chris Wilson74 mins
GOAL! It’s a scrappy one but Harry Kane won't care!
It’s a simple one too, with the defender flicking on Saka’s corner at the near post. It runs straight to Kane, right in front of Strakosha, and he simply has to squeeze the finish past the ‘keeper for 1-0!
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:28 , Chris Wilson70 mins
How has this not resulted in a goal?
England work it around the edge of the Albania box before O’Reilly clips a superb pass over the top of the defence and into the path of Saka and Bowen. The latter leaves it to his teammate but there is some confusion as Saka tries to square it to Bowen, perhaps thinking he'd continue to the run, and the chance goes begging!
With Saka only a few yards out, simply shooting would’ve likely seen the first goal of the game!
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:26 , Chris Wilson68 mins
And now another chance for Albania! A decent cross from the left is headed to Bajrami, who ends up rifling a half volley over.
Moments later, Henderson produces a brilliant challenge outside of his box to win the ball in what would have been a dangerous area.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:23 , Chris Wilson65 mins
CLOSE!
Another chance wasted! this time England work it wide to Saka, who tries to curl an effort into the far corner but puts it too close to Strakosha.
He’ll feel he should have scored.
'A double change with a couple of interesting elements'
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:21 , Richard Jolly at the Air Albania StadiumThe latest reaction from Richard Jolly at the Air Albania Stadium:
“A double change with a couple of interesting elements. With Bukayo Saka on, Jarrod Bowen has moved to the left, where he never plays for West Ham. And with Declan Rice off, Bellingham has dropped deeper into mdifield so Phil Foden can play as the 10.”
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:21 , Chris Wilson63 mins
John Stones is down receiving treatment and England take the time to make those subs.
Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden come on for Eze and Rice.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:18 , Chris Wilson61 mins
CLOSE!
Getting closer! Rice swings in a great free-kick that is headed back down towards Bellingham, but he slips as he takes the shot in the box. It’s still a decent effort, but it loops narrowly over the bar.
Some changes being prepared now.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:15 , Chris Wilson56 mins
CLOSE! This is what we want to see.
Bellingham clips a lovely diagonal pass into the path of Eze, who brings it down well in the box before hitting a weak effort the Strakosha saves at his near post.
That was the visitors’ best chance so far, and Eze will feel he should’ve done better.
'A decent test for Dean Henderson'
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:11 , Richard Jolly at the Air Albania StadiumThe latest reaction from Richard Jolly at the Air Albania Stadium:
“This is turning into a decent test for Dean Henderson, who made a fine save from Arber Hoxha. The danger is that the second-choice goalkeeper only gets caps in games where they have little to do. That might not be the case today.”
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:10 , Chris Wilson51 mins
CLOSE! Albania should be ahead!
The hosts break after Burn’s mis-placed pass, with the ball switched to Hoxha in the box, but he hits it straight at Henderson when 1-v-1!
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:08 , Chris Wilson50 mins
SAVE! A great stop from Henderson.
Hoxha, who’s been Albanias biggest threat, manages to cut inside before arcing a lovely effort towards the far corner, though Henderson is equal to it, diving to tip it wide.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:05 , Chris Wilson47 mins
A good move for the hosts to start the half, with Ramadani flicking a backheel at Henderson after a good cross from the right.
KICK-OFF! Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:02 , Chris WilsonBack underway at the Air Albania Stadium!
HALF-TIME! Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 18:02 , Chris WilsonEngland started well this evening though they faded somewhat as the half continued, and it’s yet to click in attack for the Three Lions.
Albania haven’t really threatened the visiting defence but both sides look capable of scoring tonight, with the home crowd certainly up for it in Tirana.
This could be a big half of football for some of those hoping to play their way into the squad for 2026.
We’ll be back underway soon in the Albanian capital.
HALF-TIME! Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:58 , Chris Wilson
'A decent first half for Albania'
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:51 , Richard Jolly in TiranaThe thoughts of Richard Jolly at half-time in Tirana:
“A decent first half for Albania. For England, a mixed affair so far. Declan Rice has been the greatest threat on goal so far, even if he has been caught offside more than normal.
“They have lacked enough real pace on the wings, with too little sense they will run behind the Albania defence. Nico O'Reilly and John Stones have acquitted themselves well.”
HALF-TIME! Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:48 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Just one minute of added time and the referee blows the whistle for half-time!
Bellingham is among several England players who look irritated as they walk off the pitch.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:45 , Chris Wilson42 mins
More direct play from Hoxha is rewarded with a couple of corners, but the deliveries from Asllani aren't good enough.
At the other end, Bellingham once again drives towards the box, this time slipping a pass to Rice.
The Arsenal man hits a tame effort at Strakosha but he was offside anyway.
Hints of frustration for the visitors at the moment.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:41 , Chris Wilson40 mins
Quansah went close from the ensuing corner there, rising high but directing his header too close to the ‘keeper.
Moments later, Wharton becomes the first England player to be yellow carded.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:39 , Chris Wilson37 mins
CLOSE! The best chance of the game so far falls to the visitors.
It comes from an Albania attack, with a ball into the box dummied before Eze clears. Bellingham leads the counter and plays it to Kane near halfway, and the captain holds up well before giving it back to him.
Bellingham then drives towards the box with England three-on-three, before laying it off to Bowen, who gets a decent shot away before Strakosha does very well to get low and scoop it wide of the far post.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:36 , Chris Wilson34 mins
Hoxha fouls Kane 30-odd yards out and Rice has the chance to swing it in. He targets Burn at the far post but the Newcastle man can’t direct his header to a teammate.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:34 , Chris Wilson31 mins
Albania are growing in confidence in attack, with Hoxha and Laçi keen to get involved as the former gets in behind Quansah but then clips in a weak cross that is cleared easily.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:32 , Richard Jolly in TiranaThe latest thoughts of Richard Jolly in Tirana:
“Not a great start by Jude Bellingham. The best thing he has done was a sliding tackle on Hoxha near his own box. He has tracked back with some determination, trying to show a commitment to the cause. But on the ball, he hasn't been particularly impressive.”
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:31 , Chris Wilson28 mins
Not a lot happening in attack for England at the moment but the left-hand side of O’Reilly and Eze is working well, with Rice also linking well with his Arsenal teammate.
At the other end, Uzuni fizzes a dangerous ball across the box but he’s flagged for offside.
77 per cent possession so far for England!
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:26 , Chris Wilson25 mins
A brief break in the action here as Hysaj is down and will need to come off.
He eventually makes way for Ivan Balliu.
Tuchel takes the time to speak to his squad on the touchline.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:24 , Chris Wilson22 mins
Not quite clicking for England in attack yet, as Bellingham fizzes a pass meant for Bowen straight out of play.
A similar thing happens soon after too, when Eze narrowly misses out on slipping a through ball into the path of Rice in the box.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:20 , Chris Wilson19 mins
Cheers of encouragement from the home fans as Hysaj makes a marauding run from right-back before fizzing a shot just over the bar from just outside the area. Not a bad effort!
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:19 , Richard Jolly in TiranaThe latest from Richard Jolly in Tirana:
“England are in effect playing 3-2-4-1 in possession with John Stones stepping into midfield, as he did so effectively to help Manchester City win the treble. It could be a ploy for games when they have vast amounts of the ball.”
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:18 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Half a chance for the visitors as the ball is clipped towards Bellingham in the penalty area. The defender clears it straight to Rice, who hooks a half-volley narrowly over.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:16 , Chris Wilson14 mins
First yellow of the day as Ramadani clips Kane on the counter.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:13 , Chris Wilson11 mins
A little bit of a lull in activity here as England knock it around confidently in midfield before Burn does well to cushion a header back to Henderson when under pressure.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:09 , Chris Wilson8 mins
The first opening for England is created by O’Reilly, who skips past a challenge before laying it off to Kane. The captain tries to slide a first-time through ball into the path of Rice, but Strakosha was alert to it.
A decent start from the visitors so far!
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:07 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Albania win their first corner but Bowen does well to head away at the near post.
In terms of team news, a little update as Quansah had started on the right with O’Reilly on the left, with Burn and Stones at centre-back.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:06 , Chris Wilson4 mins
First shot of the day comes for Rice, as he’s allowed to control the ball with his chest in the box before hitting a tame volley too close to Strakosha.
Plenty of nice touches in the build-up again though, with Eze looking sharp early on.
Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:03 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Some early touches for England’s attacking players, with Eze, Wharton and Bellingham involved before the latter puts too much on an attempted cross.
KICK-OFF! Albania 0-0 England
Sunday 16 November 2025 17:01 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Tirana! Can England impress as the battle for places heats up?
Albania vs England live
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:55 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are in the tunnel at the Air Albania Stadium, so we’ll be underway once we've had the anthems.
Albania vs England live
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:50 , Chris Wilson
Sylvinho: 'The numbers are amazing'
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:45 , Chris WilsonTuchel’s Albania counterpart Sylvinho – once a player for Arsenal and Barcelona – was full of praise for England in his conference, joking that the numbers they are producing are “disgusting”.
"Unfortunately, I have to say they are stronger than six months ago," he said.
"The numbers are amazing. It's disgusting! What can I say.
"But we are happy, we are going to face one of the best tomorrow and we are going to try to do our job,” he added.
Tuchel on Albania
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:40 , Chris WilsonIn his pre-match conference, England boss Thomas Tuchel spoke on what he expects from Albania.
"I thought Albania and Serbia are both very passionate about their football teams, they have always been very talented traditionally with players in the biggest leagues. We thought these are the two teams to beat,” he said.
"Now we see that Albaina deserved the second place. It's difficult to create chances and convert chances against them. They are well-trained and well-drilled. I think we will dominate the game, but ball possession alone will not do it.
“We need to control the game but control the counter attacks before they create chances. We need good counter-pressing and just ball possession is not enough. We need to transform that into chances and if we have chances we are normally clinical. We expect a difficult match.
“We want to win again, tomorrow we face an Albania side that is difficult to break down. In qualification they only conceded three goals in qualifying, two from us and one more. It's difficult to score against them,” he added.
England's qualifying record
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:30 , Chris WilsonEngland last lost a World Cup qualifier in 2009, when they were beaten 1-0 in Ukraine having already secured qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Since then, the Three Lions have been imperious in World Cup qualifiers, avoiding defeat in 38 consecutive matches and winning 30 of them.
They have scored 111 goals and conceded just 10, which works out at a goal conceded every 342 minutes.
England also have a chance to equal the European record for most competitive wins in a row without conceding a goal – 10, which was set by Spain during qualifying for Euro 2016.
'Albania have cake on the bench'
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:25 , Richard JollySome Albania news from Richard Jolly in Tirana:
“Albania have cake on the bench: Klisman Cake, a Shkendija centre-back who is apparently named after Jurgen Klinsmann.”
Head-to-head
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:20 , Chris WilsonUnsurprisingly, England have won all of the previous seven meetings between these two sides, with the first dating back to 1989.
Most recently, the Three Lions ran out 2-0 winners at Wembley in the reverse fixture in March.
The Pele parallels that Harry Kane hopes may take England to World Cup glory
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:10 , Chris WilsonHarry Kane has taken one record that used to belong to Wayne Rooney and, before him, to Sir Bobby Charlton. He has another that was long held by Jimmy Greaves. The highest scorer in the history of both England and Tottenham Hotspur has inherited the centre-forward’s role at Bayern Munich that is indelibly associated with Gerd Muller and Robert Lewandowski. There is a chance he could claim the record for most goals in a Bundesliga campaign, which each of his predecessors has held.
A man often discussed in the same sentence as greats could find himself along, or even above, another on Sunday. Kane has 76 international goals. Pele got 77. And Kane faces Albania, who have already conceded five times to him. The odds are that Pele will soon have company.
The Pele parallels that Harry Kane hopes may take England to World Cup glory
Enland team news
Sunday 16 November 2025 16:00 , Richard Jolly at the Air Albania StadiumHere’s the latest from Richard Jolly at the Air Albania Stadium:
“Thomas Tuchel had gone for continuity in recent games but, with seven wins out of seven in qualifying, there are seven changes.
“Jarell Quansah, who has been in squads under three managers, gets a belated debut, presumably at right-back. Eberechi Eze gets his reward for goals as a substitute with a start.
“Most notably, though, Jude Bellingham is back: unsurprisingly, really, but intriguingly nonetheless. Only Harry Kane, Declan Rice, John Stones and Nico O'Reilly keep their places.”
Team news
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:55 , Chris WilsonAlbania boss Sylvinho has made six changes to the side that beat Andorra.
In defence, Arlind Ajeti and Mario Mitaj are replaced by Naser Aliji and Ardian Ismajli, while in midfield, Juljan Shehu drops out in favour of Nedim Bajrami.
And in attack, Myrto Uzuni comes onto the wing in place of Armando Broja, while Ylber Ramadani replaces Rey Manaj at striker.
Team news
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:50 , Chris WilsonEngland boss Thomas Tuchel has made seven changes to the side that beat Serbia 2-0 last time out. There are three changes in the defence, with Jordan Pickford dropping out for Dean Henderson in goal, while Reece James and Ezri Konsa make way for Jarell Quansah and Dan Burn.
In midfield, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton partners Declan Rice, with Elliot Anderson rested, while Jude Bellingham starts in the No 10 role ahead of Morgan Rogers.
And the final two changes are on the wings – where Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze replace Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford - while Harry Kane starts upfront once again.
Team news
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:43 , Chris WilsonAlbania XI: Strakosha; Hysaj, Aliji, Djimsiti, Ismajli; Asllani, Bajrami; Uzuni, Laçi, Hoxha; Ramadani.
Subs: Dajsinani, Simoni, Balliu, Cake, Ajeti, Manaj, Asani, Tuci, Pajaziti, Berisha, Daku, Broja
Team news
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:35 , Chris WilsonEngland XI: Henderson; O’Reilly, Quansah, Stones, Burn; Wharton, Rice; Bowen, Bellingham, Eze; Kane.
Subs: Pickford, James, Chalobah, Saka, Henderson, Rashford, Spence, Rogers, Foden, Anderson, Trafford, Scott.
Your #ThreeLions for the last time in 2025! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/st0ApY3ge8
— England (@England) November 16, 2025
Team news
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:25 , Chris WilsonLine-ups should be released in the next five minutes or so, so here's a reminder of the early England team news...
Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon and Marc Guehi - the latter suffering from heavy bone bruising on his foot - all withdrew from Tuchel’s squad before Thursday’s win over Serbia. Ezri Konsa has also been ruled out with a calf injury.
Jude Bellingham impressed as a substitute for Morgan Rogers and could take his starting berth, while Phil Foden played as an understudy for Harry Kane up front and is likely to feature again in the same role.
How will England line up?
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:12 , Chris WilsonIt’s difficult to predict how the Three Lions will line up today given that qualification is already assured, but Tuchel had this to say on various players during his pre-match conference:
On Anderson and Rice: "Elliot and Declan are at the moment ahead in midfield. They are a very good pair and complement each other very well. They are performing at the highest level for club and country. Biggest complement to both of them.”
On whether Foden or Bellingham will start: "I will not tell you who starts. I also don't know fully who starts. We haven't decided yet. I still have to talk to some players.”
Ebere Eze, scorer of the second goal against Serbia, was particularly impressive in his cameo, as was Foden, though he was not quizzed on either player specifically.
How are the Home Nations & Ireland doing?
Sunday 16 November 2025 15:00 , Chris WilsonIreland’s stunning win over Portugal in Dublin on Thursday revives their hopes of reaching the play-offs, and the Irish will meet Hungary – one point above them – on Sunday in a battle for the play-off place. Portugal are almost certain to clinch top spot, even without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, given they play lowly Armenia in their final match.
Scotland were beaten 3-2 in Greece on Saturday night to seemingly throw away their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification, only for Belarusto stun Denmark with a 2-2 draw and keep the group alive.
Steve Clarke’s side will now meet Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday night in a huge showdown to decide who books their place at the World Cup and who has to settle for the play-offs. Scotland must win, or else the Danes will take top spot.
Wales are level on points with second-placed North Macedonia in their group , and the Welsh host them on Tuesday night. That game is crucial as it will decide who goes through to the play-offs.
Northern Ireland are out of the running for a top-two finish after Tomas Bobcek's 91st-minute winner for Slovakia in Kosice but Michael O’Neill’s men are into the play-offs thanks to their Nations League performance. Luxembourg are bottom of the group on nil points and have scored just a single goal in qualifying.
Thomas Tuchel has made his point. Now Jude Bellingham must be restored to England’s No 10 role
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:45 , Chris WilsonIn the 65th minute the Wembley crowd delivered the loudest noise of the night, louder than either of England’s two goals, louder even than the cheer when a paper aeroplane took off from the upper tier and landed on the pitch during a lull in the second half. Jude Bellingham arrived to a booming roar that told Thomas Tuchel exactly what fans thought about his choice to bench the Real Madrid midfielder. Some paid £80 per ticket, and they hadn’t come to see Morgan Rogers.
Of course, Bellingham couldn’t possibly have started Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia, not without Tuchel giving up his leverage. Tuchel stuck by his guns over recent months with a selection policy of retaining the players who were performing for England rather than picking familiar names, and his decision to omit Bellingham from October’s camp was a statement of intent. Throwing Bellingham back into the starting XI at the first opportunity would have undermined his own stance.
Tuchel has made his point. Now Bellingham must be restored to England’s No 10 role
The four big World Cup choices that could define Thomas Tuchel’s England reign
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:30 , Richard JollyThomas Tuchel can plan for a summer on the other side of the Atlantic. England have seven straight wins in World Cup qualifying, without conceding a goal, and Tuchel has seven men who, fitness permitting, should start in his preferred team at the World Cup.
If some of his decisions involve filling out the squad and finding the right back-ups, Tuchel may have four big calls. Sunday’s final qualifier against Albania may help decide it, even if some of the candidates for places in the United States are nowhere near Tirana.
But, whoever they may be, four more have to join Jordan Pickford, Reece James, John Stones, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane among Tuchel’s first-choice starting XI.
The four big World Cup choices that could define Thomas Tuchel’s England reign
World Cup qualifying fixtures
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:15 , Chris WilsonSo, who else is in action today?
It’s a huge day for the Republic of Ireland, who need to beat Hungary in Budapest to secure a play-off place. Portugal take on Armenia with a draw likely enough to take top spot in Group F – those matchers kicked off at 2pm, and you can follow the Ireland game with our dedicated blog.
2022 finalists France – who have already qualified – take on Azerbaijan while Ukraine face Iceland in Group D.
Norway will secure the automatic qualification spot in Group I as long as they avoid a 9-0 defeat to Italy, with the Azzurri having secured the play-off place.
And of course, there’s a dead-rubber game between Latvia and Serbia in England’s group too.
World Cup 2026 draw: Date, start time, format and who has qualified?
Sunday 16 November 2025 14:00 , Chris WilsonThe 48 nations competing at the 2026 World Cup will discover their group stage opponents when the draw takes place on 5 December.
The tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from 32 in Qatar, and will also be the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries. The majority of 104 games will be staged in the USA (78), with Mexico and Canada hosting 13 each.
The World Cup will begin on 11 June in Mexico’s historic Azteca Stadium, the scene of Brazil’s 1970 glory inspired by Pele and Argentina’s success in 1986 led by Diego Maradona.
It will conclude with the final on 19 July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Here is everything you need to know.
World Cup 2026 draw: Date, start time, format and who has qualified?
With England having already secured a place at next year’s World Cup, here’s a look at who else can secure a spot this week.
World Cup qualifying is hurtling towards a conclusion with some of the final places ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico up for grabs over the coming days.
So far, 30 teams have booked their places in what has already been a historic campaign for three first-time qualifiers, with Jordan, Uzbekistan and the Cape Verde islands all through to the 48-team finals.
England, France and Croatia are the only European teams to have qualified so far but the other nine group winners will be gradually confirmed in the next few days as the first round of qualifying finally concludes.
Elsewhere, we have largely reached play-off time across the rest of the world; and that’s before the rest of the European play-offs and inter-continental play-offs in March.
Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze boost World Cup hopes with solutions to England’s No 10 problem
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:30 , Chris WilsonHere’s the report from last time out for England...
The man Thomas Tuchel had omitted in October came on, for his international comeback, to make a point and in some style. Not Jude Bellingham. Or not just Bellingham, anyway. In a 2-0 victory that could be attributed to Tuchel, his words leading to the opener, his deeds to the clincher, Phil Foden may have provided Tuchel with an answer to the conundrum of the surfeit of No 10s. Eberechi Eze, too.
They could not all go to the World Cup, Tuchel had suggested. But if Foden had looked potentially vulnerable, the man who could be squeezed out, a player used on the left in Euro 2024 had a new guise: as Harry Kane’s understudy. Foden was used in attack, winning his first cap since March. Eze was introduced on the left wing, scored and thrust himself into a different debate. In a quadruple change, Bellingham was brought on in his preferred position and looked an upgrade on the starter Morgan Rogers. But that may not have been the revelation of the night. Foden, arguably, was. “Phil can make any team better in an offensive position,” said Tuchel.
Foden and Eze boost World Cup hopes with solutions to England’s No 10 problem
Thomas Tuchel sends warning to England players before World Cup: ‘We will talk about it’
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:15 , Richard JollyThomas Tuchel will warn his England players to avoid any red cards against Albania that mean they miss the start of the World Cup.
The England manager suggested he would be willing to give an Albania player a clear run on goal rather than seeing one of his defenders incur a sending off that would bring them a suspension for the beginning of next summer’s tournament.
Thomas Tuchel sends World Cup warning to England players: ‘We will talk about it’
England defender could make debut against Albania after Ezri Konsa injury blow
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:08 , Richard JollyEzri Konsa has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier in Albania with a calf injury.
The Aston Villa defender, who has started England’s last four games, was left behind when the squad travelled to Tirana. And with Marc Guehi already out, it could give Jarell Quansah a chance to make a belated debut or for Trevoh Chalobah to win his second cap.
England defender could make debut against Albania after Ezri Konsa injury blow
What is the England team news?
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:04 , Jamie BraidwoodNick Pope, Anthony Gordon and Marc Guehi - the latter suffering from heavy bone bruising on his foot - all withdrew from Tuchel’s squad before Thursday’s win over Serbia. Ezri Konsa has also been ruled out with a calf injury.
Jude Bellingham impressed as a substitute for Morgan Rogers and could take his starting berth, while Phil Foden played as an understudy for Harry Kane up front and is likely to feature again in the same role.
When is Albania vs England?
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:02 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland’s final qualifying clash with Albania takes place on Sunday 16 November at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana, Albania’s capital city. The match will kick off at 5pm GMT, 6pm local time.
How can I watch it?
The game will be free-to-air on the UK with viewers able to watch on ITV1, while also able to stream the contest on ITVX.
Welcome
Sunday 16 November 2025 13:00 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland head to their final World Cup 2026 qualifying game in Albania, hoping to maintain their unbeaten record and unbroken run of clean sheets throughout the campaign.
Thomas Tuchel’s side booked their spot in the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare, and are fresh from a 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley, with goals from Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.
The Three Lions saw off Albania in the reverse fixture at Wembley in March in Tuchel’s first game in charge as debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane sealed a 2-0 win.
With qualification now secured, all eyes will be on Tuchel’s team selection in Tirana as he continues to tweak his first XI and the clock ticks down towards next summer’s tournament.
