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The latest England team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash with Spain
England return to action this weekend, with an eagerly anticipated clash against world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s side are playing their first match since the 2026 World Cup, where they were brutally eliminated in the semi-finals by Argentina, before winning the third-place play-off 6-4 against France.
With the dust now settled on England’s heartache in Atlanta, the Three Lions will be fully focused on their UEFA Nations League campaign. The first round of fixtures will see Tuchel’s side take on Spain, before they travel to Europe for clashes against Czechia and Croatia. They’ll round things off next month, playing Czechia again at home.
Heading into the game against Spain, England have only one potential injury issue, with left-back Lewis Hall currently a doubt. This follows a string of squad withdrawals shortly after it was announced, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer all opting out.
While England work on their final preparations to face Spain for the first time since La Roja beat them in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, we’ve named the most likely starting line-up Tuchel will field on Saturday evening at Wembley.
England predicted XI vs Spain - goalkeeper and defence
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold will be looking to force his way back into England's starting elevenplaceholder image
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold will be looking to force his way back into England's starting eleven | AFP via Getty Images
Jordan Pickford will start between the sticks for England against Spain, as he looks to make his 92nd appearance for his country. He’ll almost certainly join Peter Shilton in the 100-cap club, becoming only the second goalkeeper in the nation’s history to do. Leeds United’s James Trafford will be waiting in the wings should he be required at any point during the international break.
With Chelsea’s Reece James injured yet again, Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has the perfect opportunity to make his first England appearance since June 2025. He could be given a start over Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah, who was famously sent off during England’s iconic World Cup Round of 16 win against Mexico at the Azteca.
Tuchel will look for familiarity when it comes to his centre-back pairing. Inter’s John Stones is currently out with a thigh injury, but star central defender Marc Guehi will be available for selection. He’ll likely be paired with Arsenal’s Ezri Konsa, who featured in all eight of the Three Lions’ World Cup games, and scored the second goal in the win over France.
With Hall an injury doubt, Tuchel is likely to pick Nico O’Reilly at left-back. The Manchester City youngster was his first choice in this position throughout the World Cup, and should get the nod with little in the way of competition bar Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who is considerably more natural at centre-back than at full-back.
Will Harry Kane start against Spain?
Harry Kane is set to lead the line for England against Spainplaceholder image
Harry Kane is set to lead the line for England against Spain | AFP via Getty Images
Moving into midfield, Tuchel has a dilemma to solve with the absence of star man Rice. The exhausted Gunners star could probably do with the three-week break, but he will undoubtably leave a void to be filled. Expect to see Elliot Anderson start, potentially paired with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott who could make his long-awaited England debut.
On the right flank, Bukayo Saka’s strong start to the season at Arsenal should see him named in the starting line-up ahead of Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoah. Over on the opposite flank, Anthony Gordon, who scored England’s only goal in their 2-1 loss to Argentina, looks set to start ahead of Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze.
Jude Bellingham had a sensational World Cup for England, scoring seven goals and providing an assist as he dragged Tuchel’s side to just one step away from the final. He could potentially be deployed in a deeper midfield role alongside Anderson, but his stunning form in the number ten position will likely see him start in his preferred spot on Saturday night.
As always when fit, Kane is expected to start for England. The Three Lions legend and Balon d’Or hopeful has scored 85 goals in 121 appearances for his country, and could still hit the century mark before he eventually retires from international duty. Kane has never scored against Spain in four attempts, and will be eager to do so on home soil this weekend.
England predicted line-up vs Spain: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly; Scott, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
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