England vs Latvia – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

England welcome Latvia to Wembley in 2026 World Cup qualification this evening for the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

The Three Lions take on Latvia in the second fixture of Thomas Tuchel’s reign. The German’s tenure began with an important, if unconvincing, three points against Albania on Friday evening.

England will start as huge favourites against a Latvia side ranked 136 places below them in FIFA’s world rankings.

The visitors have reached just one major tournament in their history, when Latvia were eliminated in the group stage of Euro 2024. However, Latvia opened their qualification campaign for the World Cup with a 1-0 win in Andorra and lead Group K alongside England after one game.

England will be without Anthony Gordon, who withdrew from the squad at the weekend. The Newcastle winger picked up an issue off the bench against Albania. Gordon aside, England have no new injuries, though Tuchel is likely to rotate his side for the clash. The likes of Reece James, Marc Guehi, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers could all come into the side.

England vs Latvia – Match preview and team news

Form

England: LWWWW

Since a shock setback to Greece in the Nations League, England have reeled off four consecutive wins with 13 goals scored and just one conceded.

The Three Lions laboured past Albania on Friday, though goals from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane were enough for the three points. Lewis-Skelly’s goal was a history-making moment as the Arsenal teenager became the youngest-ever player to score on their England debut.

Dan Burn was also solid on debut, though the Newcastle defender is at the opposite end of his career. At 32, Burn became the oldest England debutant since Kevin Davies in 2010.

Latvia: LDLLW

Latvia opened their qualification campaign with a 1-0 win in Andorra.

Paolo Nicolato’s side have never previously qualified for a World Cup but made an ideal start to the campaign. Dario Sits, currently on loan at Dutch second-tier side Helmond Sport from Parma, got the decisive goal. The 21-year-old has made a strong start to his international career with two goals in four caps.

The win in Andorra was only Latvia’s third in 11 games since the start of 2024. A pair of 1-0 wins over the Faroe Islands during the Nations League are Latvia’s only other successes in that time.

Last Meeting

This will be the first-ever meeting between England and Latvia.

Predicted Lineups

England: Pickford; James, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Henderson; Bowen, Bellingham, Rogers; Kane

Latvia: Zviedris; Jurkovskis, Balodis, Cernomordijs; Savalnieks, Melniks, Savaljevs, Ciganiks; Zelenkovs, Ikaunieks; Sits.

Who is the referee?

Orel Grinfeld (Israel).

What channel is England vs Latvia on?

In the UK, the fixture will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX.

What time is kick-off?

19:45 GMT.

Odds

England – 1/33

Draw – 16/1

Latvia – 40/1

Read – The 10 best centre-backs in the world right now

See more – Thierry Henry ambushed, unusual football chants, and big Dan Burn

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok