England vs Spain – Predicted lineup and team news

England are set to face reigning World Cup and European Championship champions Spain in their opening UEFA Nations League fixture at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 26th at 7:45pm BST. The Three Lions are coming into the campaign boasting attacking confidence following their third-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Argentina.

England finished solid defensively in the knockout stages, but now face significant tactical challenges due to a shortage of available players. Thomas Tuchel's squad is dealing with a series of injuries to key players such as Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Tino Livramento, leaving the defense without John Stones, Reece James, and Djed Spence, as well as struggling left-back Lewis Hall.

Midfield gaps have been filled by Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner, with younger players like Alex Scott, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Rio Ngumoha potentially earning their first caps for the senior side. The predicted starting XI for England includes Pickford, Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, and O’Reilly in defense, Anderson, Scott, Saka, Bellingham, and Gordon up front, with Kane in midfield.