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Preview: England meet Serbia at Wembley

Preview: England meet Serbia at Wembley

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Thomas Tuchel could use Thursday’s final home qualifier to experiment with England’s place at the 2026 World Cup already confirmed.

By Graham Ruthven

Time to try new things?

England can play their final two 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the knowledge that their place at next summer’s tournament is already secure. This could give Thomas Tuchel the freedom to experiment.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott was a surprise call-up to the squad and could be in line to feature as Tuchel’s search for the right balance in central midfield continues. Adam Wharton is another midfielder surely intent on making an impression.

If Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are nailed on starters, that leaves an open spot on the left wing where a resurgent Marcus Rashford could be given an opportunity.

Jude Bellingham is back in the squad after his omission in October. The Real Madrid star has found form after a staggered start to the season, but there remains a question mark over his role in Tuchel’s team.

Serbia, on the other hand, have no time for experimentation. They desperately need points to climb above Albania into second place in Group K. 

Dragan Stojković lost his job after the damaging home loss to Albania last month, making Thursday night Veljko Paunović’s first match as Serbia boss. Will there be a new manager bounce?

Key players

Kane’s relentless pursuit of goals means he is likely to start for England on Thursday even if Bayern Munich would rather the 32-year-old take a seat on the bench. 

Saka remains England’s most productive and consistent winger and is expected to start on the right side with Rashford likely to feature on the left after the withdrawal of Anthony Gordon due to injury.

Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice could pick up their partnership in the centre of midfield again with the former now firmly seen as Tuchel’s favoured option at the base of the unit.

With Aleksandar Mitrović currently sidelined, Serbia need Luka Jović and Dušan Vlahović to step up and provide a threat in the final third. Paunović could deploy the pair as a front two.

Filip Kostić will give the visitors a direct outlet on the left wing while Nikola Milenković will attempt to match up physically against Kane as Serbia’s dominant defensive presence.

Team news

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and Manchester City keeper James Trafford were called up to the England squad following the withdrawals of Gordon and Nick Pope.

Marc Guéhi is carrying a knock picked up in Crystal Palace’s Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar last week and is a doubt to feature much for The Three Lions in the games against Serbia and Albania.

Jarell Quansah, Nico O’Reilly and Scott are all uncapped and could be given their England debut as Tuchel looks to bulk up his squad before the 2026 World Cup.

Nico O’Reilly’s recent consistency

Serbia will be without all-time top scorer Mitrović for the trip to Wembley, depriving Paunović of his best and most effective focal point to build around. Mitrović will be a big miss for the visitors.

Prediction

Despite this being a dead rubber for the home side, England have a proud unbeaten record in World Cup qualifiers that dates back to 2009, so they won’t want to lose that here. Which only complicates matters for an away side who really need a result: England 2-0 Serbia.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every qualifier for the 2026 World Cup with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: England meet Serbia at Wembley

Thomas Tuchel could use Thursday’s final home qualifier to experiment with England’s place at the 2026 World Cup already confirmed.

By Graham Ruthven

Time to try new things?

England can play their final two 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the knowledge that their place at next summer’s tournament is already secure. This could give Thomas Tuchel the freedom to experiment.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott was a surprise call-up to the squad and could be in line to feature as Tuchel’s search for the right balance in central midfield continues. Adam Wharton is another midfielder surely intent on making an impression.

If Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are nailed on starters, that leaves an open spot on the left wing where a resurgent Marcus Rashford could be given an opportunity.

Jude Bellingham is back in the squad after his omission in October. The Real Madrid star has found form after a staggered start to the season, but there remains a question mark over his role in Tuchel’s team.

Serbia, on the other hand, have no time for experimentation. They desperately need points to climb above Albania into second place in Group K. 

Dragan Stojković lost his job after the damaging home loss to Albania last month, making Thursday night Veljko Paunović’s first match as Serbia boss. Will there be a new manager bounce?

Key players

Kane’s relentless pursuit of goals means he is likely to start for England on Thursday even if Bayern Munich would rather the 32-year-old take a seat on the bench. 

Saka remains England’s most productive and consistent winger and is expected to start on the right side with Rashford likely to feature on the left after the withdrawal of Anthony Gordon due to injury.

Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice could pick up their partnership in the centre of midfield again with the former now firmly seen as Tuchel’s favoured option at the base of the unit.

With Aleksandar Mitrović currently sidelined, Serbia need Luka Jović and Dušan Vlahović to step up and provide a threat in the final third. Paunović could deploy the pair as a front two.

Filip Kostić will give the visitors a direct outlet on the left wing while Nikola Milenković will attempt to match up physically against Kane as Serbia’s dominant defensive presence.

Team news

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and Manchester City keeper James Trafford were called up to the England squad following the withdrawals of Gordon and Nick Pope.

Marc Guéhi is carrying a knock picked up in Crystal Palace’s Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar last week and is a doubt to feature much for The Three Lions in the games against Serbia and Albania.

Jarell Quansah, Nico O’Reilly and Scott are all uncapped and could be given their England debut as Tuchel looks to bulk up his squad before the 2026 World Cup.

Nico O’Reilly’s recent consistency

Serbia will be without all-time top scorer Mitrović for the trip to Wembley, depriving Paunović of his best and most effective focal point to build around. Mitrović will be a big miss for the visitors.

Prediction

Despite this being a dead rubber for the home side, England have a proud unbeaten record in World Cup qualifiers that dates back to 2009, so they won’t want to lose that here. Which only complicates matters for an away side who really need a result: England 2-0 Serbia.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every qualifier for the 2026 World Cup with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.