England XI vs Latvia: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup qualifier today

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·14 October 2025

England XI vs Latvia: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup qualifier today

Three Lions handed Harry Kane boost as they look to seal World Cup qualification in Riga

Harry Kane will return for England in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

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The Three Lions captain was an unused substitute, and never a genuine option in the 3-0 friendly win against Wales on Thursday because of an ankle injury suffered playing for Bayern Munich.

But Kane, England’s all-time leading goalscorer, trained with the rest of the squad on Monday morning at Hotspur Way and was apart of the 22-man squad that flew to Riga.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel said on Monday evening that there is no reason why Kane cannot play “all 90 minutes” in Riga.

England will seal qualification for next summer’s World Cup finals if they win against Latvia, whom they beat 3-0 at Wembley back in March in what was Tuchel’s second match in charge.

While Kane has returned, fellow striker Ollie Watkins will not be available after failing to overcome a knock sustained against Wales when he collided with the post after missing a late first-half chance.

The 29-year-old was replaced by Marcus Rashford at half-time and will not travel to Riga as a precaution, though his issue is not believed to be serious and he could play for Aston Villa against Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Sidelined: Ollie Watkins

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Uncapped Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jarell Quansah has also dropped out of the England squad since the win over Wales due to injury.

Tuchel is likely to select a similar team for Latvia to the one which started against Wales. Jordan Pickford is set to start in goal again and will earn his 80th cap.

Fellow goalkeeper James Trafford remains uncapped, as does 20-year-old Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly, called up for the first time last week after Chelsea captain Reece James dropped out of the squad because of a minor injury.

Tuchel controversially decided to omit Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Adam Wharton and Jack Grealish for October’s qualifying double-header, after opting to name as close as possible to the same squad that he picked for last month’s wins over Andorra and Serbia.

Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Eze, Rashford; Kane

Time and date: 7:45pm BST today, Tuesday October 14, 2025

How to watch: ITV