England looking to build momentum in Wales friendly

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England v Wales Preview

Thomas Tuchel’s England side will pause their World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday to face Wales in a home friendly.

Author | Josh T

Stadium | Wembley Stadium

Super News Football 2025 | World Cup 2022 | England v Wales | View from the stands
When England met Wales at 2022 World Cup

The Three Lions have been flawless under their German head coach, winning all five matches in Group K without conceding a goal. Their most emphatic performance so far came last month, when they dismantled Serbia 5-0. Tuchel has largely stuck with a 4-2-3-1 formation during qualifying, with Anthony Gordon providing a lively outlet on the left flank.

Who’s in the England squad?

Bukayo Saka has been recalled for the friendly and the qualifier against Latvia, while Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have been left out. Saka missed last month’s wins over Andorra and Serbia due to a hamstring problem but returned to action for Arsenal, scoring in their 2-0 victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday. He replaces his club teammate Noni Madueke in the squad.

Super News Football | World Cup Qualifying | England v Andorra at Villa Park
Recent qualifier against Andorra

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah comes in for Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, who faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury against Arsenal. Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence, both of whom received their first England call-ups last month, retain their places, as does Ruben Loftus-Cheek despite the return to fitness of Adam Wharton.

The Welsh perspective

Craig Bellamy’s tenure as Wales manager has begun encouragingly, with his side still in contention for a place at next summer’s World Cup. They sit third in their qualifying group, having won three of their five matches. In their recent match, they were made to work hard for victory in Kazakhstan. Most fans were were fairly positive about the match believing it's a difficult place to go and win, especially at the start of the domestic season. 

Super News Football | World Cup Qualifying | Wales fans celebrate in Kazakhstan
Wales fans away in Kazakhstan

Bellamy has said he wanted to arrange more testing friendlies to better prepare his squad for the demands of qualification and, with luck, the tournament itself. The former Liverpool and Manchester City winger joked recently that England’s squad depth is so strong that “a boxing promoter wouldn’t dare pair them against us”. Exactly the kind of challenge he was looking for, then.

Location: Wembley, UK

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