England start their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday evening in Texas (9pm kick-off).
Thomas Tuchel’s side will be looking to progress from a group also including Ghana and Panama, whom they face on June 23 and June 27, respectively.
Tuchel’s squad was highly scrutinised when it was announced last month with the omission of several notable players, including Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall.
The Magpies had six England hopefuls ahead of the tournament with Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon, Hall, Aaron Ramsdale and Harvey Barnes in the squad in the March international break before the tournament and Tino Livramento tipped for a call-up for the tournament.
But Hall, Ramsdale and Barnes didn’t make the final World Cup squad while Gordon has since been sold to Barcelona. Livramento’s withdrawal due to injury on the eve of England’s opener leaves only Burn as the sole Newcastle representative in the England squad.
Trevoh Chalobah has been called up in Livramento’s place as Tuchel prepares his side to face arguably their toughest Group L opponents. Croatia beat England to reach the final in 2018 and reached the semi-finals in 2022.
On both occasions, they were only beaten by the eventual winners, France and Argentina.
The Three Lions are unbeaten in their last three games against Croatia since their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat. The last meeting between the sides saw England open their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 win at Wembley Stadium.
They will be hoping to do the same in Arlington, Texas this evening.
1. GK: Jordan Pickford
Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
2. RB: Reece James
3. CB: Ezri Konsa
PA
4. CB: John Stones
JC Ruiz/PA Wire