England will face Japan in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, March 31. This match serves as part of England’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup. After their previous game against Uruguay ended in a 1-1 draw, England will return a stronger lineup for this fixture.
Match Details
The game will kick off at 7:45 p.m. BST (2:45 p.m. ET; 12:15 a.m. IST on Wednesday; 5:45 a.m. AEDT on Friday). It will be broadcasted on ITV1 in the UK and on SonyLiv in India. Live updates will also be available through ESPN.
England’s Squad Updates
Several key players will return for England. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Morgan Rogers missed the previous match but are expected to feature against Japan. However, some players have been released from the squad, including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Noni Madueke.
Unavailable Players
- Adam Wharton – Injury against Uruguay
- John Stones – Back at Manchester City
- Aaron Ramsdale, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fikayo Tomori – Released from the squad
Probable Starting XI for England
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jordan Pickford | Everton |
| Defender | Marc Guehi | Manchester City |
| Defender | Ben White | Arsenal |
| Midfielder | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Forward | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |
Japan’s Recent Performance
Japan enters this match after a narrow victory against Scotland, where Junya Ito scored the winning goal. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu is likely to continue building on this momentum. The match against England presents another test for his squad as they look to strengthen their position ahead of their own international commitments.
Individual Battles to Watch
This encounter will showcase individual talent and depth within both squads. For England, the right-back position will be particularly crucial as they may face Japan’s sharp winger, Kaoru Mitoma. The competition for starting positions remains fierce, particularly among the midfielders, with James Garner and Elliot Anderson vying for a spot.
Historical Context
Historically, England has faced Japan three times, remaining unbeaten with two wins and one draw. England has performed well recently, winning 14 of their last 16 matches. Japan aims to extend its winning streak to five with a solid performance against the English side.
This friendly serves as a vital opportunity for players to impress and secure their places as both teams finalize their rosters for World Cup competition in the near future.
