Overview
England will open 2025 with their first match under new coach Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician has almost called up the best personnel to aim for a victory.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the "Three Lions" are expected to not face many difficulties in Group K, with opponents such as Latvia, Serbia and Albania. They have also been in good form in previous matches in the Nations League, even under caretaker coach Lee Carsley.
For Albania, they are certainly not a worthy opponent for England. In the last 5 matches in the Nations League, Albania have only 1 win and 1 draw, while having to accept 3 losses. Albania's most likely goal in this match is probably to lose as little as possible.
For England, not only aiming to win all 3 points in this match, they also need to do it convincingly. With home advantage and a superior squad, the "Three Lions" will easily have a victory in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Harry Kane scored a hat-trick when England last hosted Albania in 2021 before scoring another goal in the return match. The England captain is expected to continue to shine against this opponent.
The two countries have met six times before. England won all of those matches, including two in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Personnel situation
England head coach Tuchel will not be able to get the services of injured player duo Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
On the other side of the front line, Albania will be boosted by the return of strikers Armando Broja and Rey Manaj, both of whom were hospitalized for their most recent international break.
Expected lineup:
Anh: Pickford, Walker, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly, Henderson, Rice, Foden, Bellingham, Rashford, Kane.
Albania: Strakosha, Ballu, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Aliji, Asllani, Ramadani, Asani, Bajrami, Muci, Manaj.
The match between England and Albania takes place at 2:45 am on March 22 (Vietnam time).
