England vs Albania: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Preview
England host Albania at Wembley Stadium on Friday night as they kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. With Thomas Tuchel in charge for the first time, England will look to make a big statement against Albania.
On paper, England is the big favourite having won their last two against Albania. They have so much talent and home advantage so they are the team to beat. Albania came into this game off the back of a disastrous UEFA Nations League campaign where they got 7 points from 6 games. They will look to defy the odds and cause an upset at Wembley.
Team News & Tactics
England
Thomas Tuchel has left out Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrad Branthwaite, Conor Gallagher, and Ollie Watkins. Cole Palmer is also out injured. Despite those absences, England has a strong squad to choose from.
Tuchel will play 3-4-2-1. Jordan Pickford is the goalkeeper, Kyle Walker, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill at the back. Reece James and Myles Lewis-Skelly as wing-backs. Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson are in midfield with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford ahead of Harry Kane who will lead the line.
Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Colwill; James, Rice, Henderson, Lewis-Skelly; Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
Albania
Albania have no injuries for this game and will pick an entire squad. Manager Sylvinho will play 4-3-3. Thomas Strakosha is the goalkeeper, Ivan Balliu and Naser Aliji as full-backs. Arlind Ajeti and Ardian Ismajli at the back. Kristjan Asllani, Qazim Laci, and Ylber Ramadani are in midfield to provide defence and control. Nedim Bajrami and Ernest Muci on the flanks to support Rey Manaj who will lead the line.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Strakosha; Balliu, Ismajli, Ajeti, Aliji; Asllani, Ramadani, Laci; Bajrami, Manaj, Muci.
Key Facts
- England have scored 12 goals in their last 4 against Albania.
- England have won their last 4 against Albania.
- England have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 4 against Albania.
- Albania have won 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
- England have won 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
Player to Watch: Harry Kane
Harry Kane is in incredible form for Bayern Munich with 36 goals and 8 assists in all competitions this season. He will look to take that club form onto the international stage as he leads the line for England. Kane’s ability to create chances for others and be clinical makes him England’s key player in this game.
England vs Albania Prediction
England 3-0 Albania
England vs Albania Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247
