The numbers
England will kick off their World Cup preparations with a friendly match against Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. GMT. This match marks an important step for both teams as they gear up for the upcoming tournament.
England enters the match riding high, having won their last six international matches. The squad, featuring 35 players, includes notable names such as Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice. Harry Maguire returns to the national team setup after an 18-month absence, a move praised by Thomas Tuchel, who stated, “Harry simply deserves it. He has had very, very good performances and fantastic results.” Maguire’s presence is crucial, especially with several regular center-backs unavailable for this match.
On the other side, Uruguay, who last faced England in the 2014 World Cup where they secured a 2-1 victory, will field a strong lineup, including 134-cap goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and star midfielder Federico Valverde. The stakes are high for both teams as they look to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the World Cup.
England’s starting XI will feature Trafford, Livramento, Maguire, Tomori, Spence, Garner, Henderson, Foden, Rashford, Madueke, and Solanke. Meanwhile, Uruguay’s lineup includes Muslera, Varela, R. Araujo, Olivera, Piquerez, Ugarte, Valverde, De Arrascaeta, Canobbio, M. Araujo, and Aguirre. The match will be officiated by German referee Sven Jablonski.
In preparation for this friendly, England has made some adjustments to their squad. Ben White returns after replacing the injured Jarrell Quansah, while Harvey Barnes has been called up in place of Eberechi Eze, who withdrew due to injury. These changes reflect the team’s commitment to fielding their best possible lineup.
As the match approaches, observers are keen to see how both teams will perform. England’s recent form suggests they are in a strong position, but Uruguay’s historical success against them adds an intriguing layer to the matchup. Valverde is expected to be a standout player for Uruguay, with some suggesting he could be the best player on the pitch.
Fans can tune into the match on ITV1 in the UK and SonyLiv in India, making it accessible for a wide audience. The excitement is palpable as both teams prepare to clash in this highly anticipated friendly.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes to the squads or strategies, but the anticipation for this encounter continues to build as both nations aim to assert their dominance ahead of the World Cup.
