England begin their countdown to the World Cup as Thomas Tuchel’s side face Uruguay at Wembley in the first of two friendlies this week.
England will play just two more games before Tuchel announces his World Cup squad, with England facing Croatia in their opening game on 17 June, so the competition for places is on.
Tuchel announced an expanded 35-man squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, on Tuesday, with a core group of stars such as Harry Kane and Declan Rice given the first week off.
And Tuchel has confirmed that players such as Cole Palmer and Phil Foden will be given the opportunity to impress against Uruguay, in what could be an experimental line-up from the England boss.
Here’s everything you need to know
When is England v Uruguay
Kick off is at 7:45pm at Wembley on Friday 27 March.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on ITV 1, with a live stream available on ITV X.
What is the England team news?
To start with the England players who will not join up with the camp until Saturday: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Elliott Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Dean Henderson are absent and will only report for England duty ahead of the Japan game.
Since Tuchel named his squad, Eberechi Eze and Jarell Quansah have withdrawn due to injury, replaced by Harvey Barnes and Ben White. James Garner is a first-time call-up and could make his England debut if selected.
Jordan Pickford is likely to start and there could be a Newcastle pairing at full-back, in Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. John Stones and the recalled Harry Maguire, back in an England squad for the first time since 2024, may rekindle their defensive partnership, but the Manchester City defender is reportedly dealing with a calf issue, so Fikayo Tomori could feature.
In midfield, Tuchel has a choice between Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson or Garner, with the England manager confirming that he would take “no risks” with Bellingham’s fitness following his return from a hamstring injury. At No 10, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are expected to get the chance to impress.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke are also in a straight shoot-out to start, with Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford likely to start on the wings. There could then be changes in the second half to allow Jarrod Bowen and Barnes some game time.
Possible England XI
Pickford; Livramento, Tomori, Maguire, Hall; Wharton, Garner; Madueke, Palmer, Rashford; Solanke
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