Albania vs England Preview: Lions seek perfect World Cup qualifying record | OneFootball

With nothing but bragging rights on the line, Albania and England go head-to-head in the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group K.

Air Albania Stadium in Tirana hosts a final-matchday dead-rubber, with both sides already locking down the top two spots in this section.

Sylvinho’s side received perfect aid from England in the penultimate qualifying round as their narrow 1-0 win at continental minnows Andorra saw them secure a coveted second place.

Regardless of the outcome of their seventh historical meeting with the Three Lions, the Albanians will have a chance to reach their first-ever World Cup finals through the play-offs.

On the other hand, England will be out to finish what they started against this very opposition in March and progress into next summer’s tournament with a qualifying record.

Goals on either side of half-time saw Thomas Tuchel’s side ease past Serbia on Thursday, cruising to a 2-0 home victory, which upheld their perfect run in Group K.

As a result, they’ve now won ten successive matches in competitive action for only the second time in history.

Revenge drive

Four points clear of third-placed Serbia, Albania head into proceedings relieved of pressure, but they will not approach this showdown lightly.

Although the Albanians are grateful for the gift England gave them on Matchday 7, they will still have revenge on their minds on Sunday night.

England have been a bogey opponent for the Eagles, beating them in all seven previous encounters, often emphatically.

Notably, all these previous clashes occurred during World Cup qualifying cycles, including a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture in March.

It’s also worth noting that Albania failed to find the net in six of those seven matches, all of which ominously produced multi-goal margin losses.

However, the hosts can draw confidence from rebuilding their home fortress under Sylvinho, keeping six clean sheets in their last seven World Cup qualifying games on home soil.

Sylvinho’s men will take the field in high spirits, not just because of their impressive home form, but also because they’ve won five consecutive internationals, four of which yielded an identical 1-0 scoreline.

Final hurdle

This qualifying campaign has been plain sailing for England, perhaps best illustrated by their indomitable 100 percent win ratio and a jaw-dropping +20 goal difference.

Impregnable at the back, Tuchel’s charges have yet to concede a goal in Group K, while four consecutive clean sheets against Albania suggest another shut-out could be in store.

England’s resounding defensive record has not come at the expense of their scoring ambitions, with the Three Lions netting an average of 2.85 goals per game.

Tuchel has also eradicated England’s habit of making slow starts, as they have opened the scoring before half-time in eight of their nine matches under him.

Another fast start would get the visitors closer to achieving their primary goal, which is to maintain their outstanding run of avoiding their first defeat in World Cup qualifying since October 2009 (W30, D8).

Playing away from home shouldn’t faze the Three Lions, given that they won their last two away games in Group K via an identical 5-0 scoreline.

It’s little surprise that Bayern Munich megastar Harry Kane was on the scoresheet on both occasions, taking his total goal tally in the current qualifying cycle to six goals.

Team news

Despite the withdrawals of Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon and Marc Guehi from the squad, Tuchel still boasts one of the most intimidating rosters in world football.

After being dropped to the bench against Serbia, Jude Bellingham is expected to overtake Morgan Rogers in the pecking order on Sunday, with Eberechi Eze likely to get the nod ahead of Marcus Rashford.

Kane drew a rare blank on Thursday, yet it’s hard to imagine anyone taking his starting berth in this final-day fixture.

Predicted England line-up

(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Stones, Burn; Wharton, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Eze; Kane.