REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
England and Spain will go head-to-head in the UEFA Nations League at Wembley on Saturday night in their first game since the World Cup.
The Three Lions finished third in the tournament after crashing out in the semi-finals to Argentina, before defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place playoff. Spain, meanwhile, were crowned world champions for the second time in their history as they went unbeaten in the competition, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time thanks to Ferran Torres' strike in the final.
Both teams have made some changes to their squad for this international camp, with both managers now looking to begin the next cycle of their team's evolution, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to lineup as a result.
England Team News
Reuters/Matthew Child
Thomas Tuchel named a 27-man squad for the four UEFA Nations League games over the next two weeks, but was disappointed to see five players withdraw from duty before the camp began.
Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, and Tino Livramento all backed out of international duty to stay with their clubs due to injury, with Tuchel then calling up Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner as replacements.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alex Scott, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Rio Ngumoha all earned call-ups under the manager and are likely to be given opportunities to make their first appearances.
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England Injuries
Player
Cole Palmer
Kobbie Mainoo
Marcus Rashford
Declan Rice
Tino Livramento
Tuchel Drops Team News Update
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Tuchel shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
"For sure it's a missed opportunity," he said. "It's another missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities. I don't blame him for it, it's just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries.
"I only want to rely on what I personally witness and see within my team. For that you have to be in camp. If you are not in camp there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it with me on the pitch and with us on the pitch. It is a missed opportunity."
"He plays with discomfort and pain and cannot play on the highest level with discomfort and pain," said Tuchel. "Chelsea informed us. That is my understanding. We're not managing load.
"This is not an 'international break'. It's a competitive environment, where the players love to train and be together. That's what we created. We will never compromise on that.
"We will never let this feeling creep in that the players don't want to come [to England camps]. We focus on the guys who absolutely want to play for England."
England Predicted XI
England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham celebrate via REUTERS/Paul Childs
England Predicted XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Bellingham, Ngumoha; Kane.
England Predicted Substitutes: Trafford (GK), Branthwaite (DEF), Quansah (DEF), Chalobah (DEF), Hall (DEF), Garner (MID), Gibbs-White (MID), Scott (MID), Eze (FWD), Gordon (FWD), Rogers (FWD), Calvert-Lewin (FWD).
After impressing during the World Cup warm-up camp, Ngumoha could well earn himself a start for England ahead of Barcelona star Anthony Gordon on the left wing.
In midfield, Myles Lewis-Skelly could get the nod alongside Elliot Anderson, while Alexander-Arnold could make his first start under Tuchel at right-back. That would see £184m duo Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze left on the bench.
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Spain Team News
Albert Gea via Reuters
Spain have named a very familiar looking squad following their World Cup victory, but Tottenham defender Pedro Porro has withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring injury and will miss around a month of action.
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia has also withdrawn from the squad, while Marcos Llorente has retired from international duty, and both Gavi and Borja Iglesias were not selected. Ivan Fresneda and Roberto Fernandez have been handed their first senior call-ups.
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Spain Injuries
Player
Pedro Porro
Joan Garcia
Spain Predicted XI
Lamine Yamal Spain
Lamine Yamal Spain
Spain Predicted XI: Simon; Garcia, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri; Yamal, Olmo, N. Williams; Oyarzabal.
Spain Predicted Substitutes: Raya (GK), Fresneda (DEF), Pubill (DEF), Huijsen (DEF), Grimaldo (DEF), Pedri (MID), Merino (MID), Zubimendi (MID), Fermin (MID). Baena (FWD), Ferran (FWD), Munoz (FWD).
Spain are keen to continue their incredible run of results in recent years when they head to Wembley. Lamine Yamal is expected to start on the wing after a fine start to his season with Barcelona, while Nico Williams should come back into the team after having his minutes at the World Cup restricted due to injury.
£92m Arsenal duo Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are likely to be on the bench, with Rodri and Fabian Ruiz expected to start ahead of Pedri in the centre of the pitch.
England manager Thomas Tuchel at the 2026 World Cup
England manager Thomas Tuchel at the 2026 World Cup