England will face Japan tonight in their last friendly before the World Cup this summer
The lineup is set to look very different to how the team was against Uruguay last Friday (Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
The last chance to impress England boss Thomas Tuchel will be tonight (Tuesday, March 31) as England prepare to face Japan at Wembley Stadium. The friendly will give fans a chance to watch some of the more certain players set to go to the World Cup.
The game against Uruguay was a chance for fringe players to impress and leave an impression on the German boss. The second-string players didn’t excel, leaving with a 1-1 draw after Ben White scored and conceded a penalty in an overall lacklustre performance by the entire team last Friday.
Now, with several players from the original 35-man squad already returning to their clubs, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fikayo Tomori and Aaron Ramsdale. On top of fringe players leaving, the likes of Noni Madueke, big-name players, and expected starters, Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka all withdrew due to injuries, meaning the team set up for today will look noticeably different.
The England team is set to welcome back the likes of Morgan Rogers, Harry Kane, Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson, which will hopefully lead to a more convincing performance against a confident Japan team. Japan looked good as they beat Scotland on Friday, and we are likely to see the Premier League duo of Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma given more minutes against England.
How will the teams line up?
The England line-up is expected to be a snapshot of what the team will look like heading into the World Cup, barring the absence of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. With Saka and Madueke withdrawing, the only natural right winger on the team is Jarrod Bowen, so he may start, or Cole Palmer could be deployed on the right, with him drifting inside.
The Japan team will be similar to what they showed against Scotland, with Mitoma more than likely starting this game instead of coming off the bench.
England XI: Pickford; White, Konsa, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Mainoo; Palmer, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
Japan XI: Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, Ito; Sugawara, Kaishu Sano, Kamada, Mitoma; Doan, Maeda; Ueda
How will the game go?
The players expected to start for England are likely already on the plane to the World Cup. A few positions are still up for grabs, such as the right back position, with Ben White, Tino Livramento, and Reece James all vying for that spot. Players such as James Garner, who had a good game against Uruguay, will be hoping to get some minutes today and impress Tuchel even more than he has so far this season.
Japan will be up for the game and be looking to put in a good showing for their fans. Mitoma has dazzled for Brighton over the last couple of seasons and hasn’t been at his usual levels in the Premier League this year, but he always poses a danger.
Where to watch the game?
The game will be available to watch on ITV1 and to stream for free on TV or online on ITVX from 7pm. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
How to get last-minute tickets after game sold out through general sale
The official Wembley Stadium website states the game is sold out for general sale seats. However, there are VIP tickets still available via Seat Unique which offers hospitality packages at Wembley.
Tickets costing £349 each are being offered in the Bobby Moore lounge which offer halfway line premium seating by the dugout. Ticketholders also get access to a shared table for up to three hours before kick off and an hour post final whistle.
Canapés are served upon arrival, with unlimited Laurent Perrier Champagne served pre and post-match. There is also a four-course fine dining including cheeseboard served post-game.
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