England's Final Qualifiers Before World Cup 2026
Despite having already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup, England's match against Serbia this Thursday remains a crucial fixture for manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions, who booked their ticket after a dominant 5-0 victory over Latvia in October, are using these final qualifiers to fine-tune their squad and assess player form.
Team News and Squad Changes
Tuchel has made several significant changes to his squad for the upcoming double-header against Serbia and Albania. The most notable return is that of Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid star is back in the fold after missing the last two England camps as he recovered from an injury.
He is joined by Phil Foden, who was also absent from the previous selection. However, the squad sees some departures, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Ollie Watkins among those dropping out.
On the injury front, England will be without Newcastle duo Nick Pope and Anthony Gordon, who were forced to withdraw from the squad. There are also significant doubts over Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who is struggling with a foot injury. This is a considerable blow for Tuchel, as the 25-year-old defender has become integral to his plans.
Tuchel's Open Door Policy
Speaking about what he hopes to learn from these games, Tuchel emphasised that the door is still open for players to force their way into his final World Cup squad. The final nomination is only in May, and a lot can change before then.
"We have to stay open-minded because young players can come through," Tuchel revealed. "Those who are struggling for minutes can play important roles for their clubs. I need to make sure the door is always open and they are on their toes and they have a chance to be with us."
How to Watch England vs Serbia
The match between England and Serbia will kick off at 7:45 PM on Thursday, November 13. The game will be held at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.
For viewers in the UK, the good news is that the match will be available to watch for free. ITV1 will broadcast the game after acquiring the rights to England's men's fixtures. Coverage, presented by Mark Pougatch, will begin at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 10:00 PM.
For those unable to watch on television, the match can be live-streamed for free on ITVX, the broadcaster's on-demand and streaming service. This provides a perfect option for fans on the go who don't want to miss a moment of the action.
