7M - World Cup Qualification Preview: England vs Japan - prediction, team news, lineups

England host Japan at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday in an international friendly, as Thomas Tuchel's side look to bounce back from a 1-1 draw with Uruguay while Hajime Moriyasu's visitors aim to extend their impressive four-game winning run.

Recent Form and Momentum

The Three Lions saw their six-game winning sequence end against Uruguay on Friday, producing a lacklustre display in the 1-1 stalemate that also saw them fail to equal an all-time record. Despite the result, England remain in strong form overall and will view this fixture as an opportunity to reintegrate key players and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive fixtures.

Japan arrive in excellent spirits following a 1-0 victory over Scotland on Saturday, secured by Junya Ito's 84th-minute strike. The Samurai Blue have lost just once in their last six outings - a 2-0 friendly defeat to the USA in September - and have since recorded a 2-2 draw with Paraguay before embarking on a four-match winning streak that included a stunning 3-2 success over Brazil, plus victories against Ghana and Bolivia to close out 2025.

Attacking and Defensive Highlights

England's attacking threat remains centered on Harry Kane, who watched Friday's match from the stands but is expected to start on Tuesday. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon offer creativity and pace in advanced areas, while the midfield pairing of Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo provides balance and ball progression. Defensively, the potential return of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa bolsters a back line that conceded once against Uruguay but showed resilience in recovery situations.

Japan's offensive structure revolves around a fluid 3-4-2-1 system with Ayase Ueda leading the line supported by Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma. Daichi Kamada's playmaking from midfield links defense and attack, while wing-backs Yuki Soma and Hiroki Ito provide width and defensive cover. The Samurai Blue have demonstrated clinical finishing in recent fixtures, scoring multiple goals against top-tier opposition including Brazil.

Schedule Pressure and Squad Considerations

Both teams are managing fixture congestion and player workload. England have seen eight players withdraw from camp, including Adam Wharton and Noni Madueke who were injured during the Uruguay draw, John Stones who suffered a pre-match knock, and Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka who returned to Arsenal for medical assessment. Fikayo Tomori, Aaron Ramsdale and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also rejoined their clubs.

Japan face a minor setback with Takehiro Tomiyasu withdrawing through injury, but otherwise reported no fresh concerns from the Scotland match. Head coach Moriyasu rested Kaoru Mitoma and Daichi Kamada for substitute minutes at Hampden Park, but both are expected to return to the starting XI at Wembley.

Head-to-Head Context

England hold the historical advantage with two wins and one draw from three previous meetings at this level. The most recent encounter, a 2010 friendly, ended 2-1 in England's favor courtesy of two Japanese own goals. While friendly results do not always translate to competitive outcomes, the Three Lions' experience in high-pressure fixtures could prove valuable.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to make sweeping changes from the Uruguay match. Jordan Pickford anchors the defense alongside Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly, with Anderson and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon support Harry Kane in attack.

Japan should field a familiar 3-4-2-1 shape with Daniel Suzuki in goal. The back three of Seigo Taniguchi, Shogo Taniguchi and Hiroki Ito provide defensive stability, while Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma operate behind striker Ayase Ueda.

England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; White, Konsa, Guehi, OReilly; Anderson, Mainoo; Palmer, Rogers, Gordon; Kane

Japan possible starting lineup:
Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, Ito; Sugawara, Kaishu Sano, Kamada, Mitoma; Doan, Maeda; Ueda

Prediction: England 2-1 Japan

England's depth and home advantage at Wembley should prove decisive, particularly with several key players returning from rest or minor knocks. While Japan's recent form and tactical discipline under Hajime Moriyasu warrant respect - especially their impressive victory over Brazil - the Three Lions possess greater individual quality in attacking areas. Thomas Tuchel's side are expected to respond positively to the Uruguay stalemate and secure a narrow victory.