England's Final World Cup Warm-Up: Japan Friendly at Wembley
England will host Japan tonight in their last preparatory friendly before the upcoming World Cup this summer. The match at Wembley Stadium represents a final opportunity for players to impress manager Thomas Tuchel and secure their spots on the plane to the tournament.
Team News and Expected Lineups
The England lineup is anticipated to differ significantly from the team that faced Uruguay last Friday. Several players from the original 35-man squad have returned to their clubs, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fikayo Tomori, and Aaron Ramsdale. Additionally, injuries have forced withdrawals from key players such as Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka.
However, England welcomes back Morgan Rogers, Harry Kane, Marc Guehi, and Elliot Anderson, which should contribute to a more convincing performance against a confident Japanese side. Japan arrives fresh from a victory over Scotland on Friday, with Premier League stars Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma expected to feature prominently.
Expected England XI: Pickford; White, Konsa, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Mainoo; Palmer, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
Expected Japan XI: Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, Ito; Sugawara, Kaishu Sano, Kamada, Mitoma; Doan, Maeda; Ueda
Match Preview and Key Battles
This friendly offers a glimpse into England's potential World Cup lineup, barring the absence of Rice and Saka. With Saka and Madueke unavailable, Jarrod Bowen remains the sole natural right winger, though Cole Palmer could be deployed on the right with a tendency to drift inside.
For Japan, Mitoma is likely to start after coming off the bench against Scotland. The Brighton winger, though not at his peak Premier League form this season, remains a constant threat.
Several positions in the England squad are still competitive. The right-back spot sees Ben White, Tino Livramento, and Reece James all vying for selection. Players like James Garner, who performed well against Uruguay, will hope for minutes to further impress Tuchel.
Where to Watch the Game
The match will be broadcast live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7pm. Viewers can also stream the game for free on TV or online via ITVX. Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm.
How to Secure Last-Minute Tickets
The official Wembley Stadium website indicates that general sale tickets are sold out. However, VIP tickets remain available through Seat Unique, offering hospitality packages at the stadium.
Tickets priced at £349 each provide access to the Bobby Moore lounge, featuring premium seating along the halfway line near the dugout. Ticket holders enjoy a shared table for up to three hours before kick-off and one hour after the final whistle.
Hospitality includes canapés upon arrival, unlimited Laurent Perrier Champagne served pre and post-match, and a four-course fine dining experience with a cheeseboard served after the game.
