England continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a friendly against Japan.
This friendly represents a final chance for players to impress before England and Japan’s managers name their World Cup squads in May.
Team News
John Stones is ruled out for England after he missed their 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay due to a calf injury.
Noni Madueke and Adam Wharton are also absent after they suffered knocks in that match and like Stones, they have also been released from international duty back to Arsenal and Crystal Palace respectively.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have too been sent back to Arsenal following fitness assessments, after the pair were amongst 11 players to arrive at St George’s Park to prepare for this match following a decision to leave them out of the squad to play Uruguay.
Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Harry Kane though will be available for this friendly.
Jude Bellingham has remained with the squad but won’t be risked due to previous injuries this season.
Japan have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-0 victory against Scotland.
When is Kick-Off?
England host Japan at Wembley Stadium, London, on Tuesday 31 March at 7:45pm BST, live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.
Stat Attack
- England have avoided defeat in three previous meetings against Japan (W2, D1).
- Japan lost 2-1 in their only previous meeting against England to be played at Wembley Stadium in June 1995.
- England have never kept a clean sheet against Japan in all competitions.
- England have conceded one goal in their last four home games (W3, D1).
- Japan are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against European opposition in all competitions excluding penalty shootouts (W6, D1).
Prediction
After Friday’s lacklustre draw against Uruguay in which there was a serious lack of spark and connections in a line-up which looked lacking in any bond despite their dominance, England now need to raise their game because this is a massive chance to give Thomas Tuchel headaches about his World Cup selections.
Japan though are no pushovers when it comes to European opposition as demonstrated by a dominant display against Scotland, where they showed more attacking urgency amidst defensive resilience but their final touches often were wasteful but they nevertheless patiently grinded out the win.
England though will be a different prospect with players like Guehi, Gordon and Kane set to be available but if they don’t click effectively, I fear that this will be another slog and another draw feels a fair call if Japan continue to prove robust defensively.
Prediction: England 1-1 Japan
Result: England 0-1 Japan
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