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

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·24 March 2025

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

Morgan Rogers makes first senior England start

England have brought Morgan Rogers and Jarrod Bowen in the starting lineup for their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia at Wembley.

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Marc Guehi and Reece James ge the nod in defence, as Thomas Tuchel shuffles his pack slightly from the opening match of his reign.

Anthony Gordon came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 home victory over Albania on Friday night, which marked the start of the Tuchel era.

However, the winger needed treatment on the pitch after the full-time whistle and has since returned to Newcastle to be assessed.

With Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer already missing through injury, it means Bowen comes into the side to replace Phil Foden, with Marcus Rashford keeping his place. Aston Villa’s Rogers makes his his first Three Lions start further forward after coming off the bench against Albania.

Speaking ahead of the Latvia game on Sunday, Tuchel suggested that there would be a degree of rotation in his second lineup.

“We have reasons to let all of them play again and do stuff a bit better and find a rhythm together,” Tuchel said. “But we have reports from the physical department where some players are flagged with slight concerns.

“Let’s see, it’s only the second day after the match and we have to be cautious and could make sense to put some fresh players in who deserve to play. It could be a mix between both.”

Guehi starts at centre-back, having been surprisingly overlooked for the Albania game. Guehi was one of England’s standout performers at Euro 2024 last summer, but was left out of Tuchel’s first XI in favour of debutant Dan Burn, who endured a somewhat shaky debut alongside Ezri Konsa.

Chelsea captain James replaces Kyle Walker on the right of defence, with Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly keeping his place at left-back after becoming the youngest England player ever to score on their senior debut on Friday night.

England XI: Pickford; James, Guehi, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Rogers, Bellingham; Bowen, Kane, Rashford

How to watch: ITV