England v Albania: Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams as Tuchel starts Rashford in World Cup qualifier

Thomas Tuchel names his first England side on Friday when the Group K favourites host Albania at Wembley Stadium (19:45 GMT).

After taking over on January 1, Champions League winner Tuchel revealed several surprises when he selected his first squad in mid-March.

Albania lost 5-0 at Wembley Stadium when they last met England in November 2021, including a first-half Harry Kane hat-trick.

101GreatGoals.com has all the details on the line-ups, team news and confirmed starting sides for England v Albania in 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🆚🇦🇱🔜#WCQ pic.twitter.com/98SkEJ2ytN

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) March 21, 2025

England lineup v Albania

England are without a host of regulars who may otherwise have been in Tuchel’s squad, with Bukayo Saka, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall missing out.

Chelsea top scorer Cole Palmer has also been ruled out after suffering an injury before his side’s defeat at Arsenal last Sunday.

Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson starts on the bench following his unexpected inclusion in the squad, while there are debuts for Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly and Newcastle defender Dan Burn.

Forward Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, makes his first international start since November 2023 after a first call-up in almost a year.

England starting XI: Pickford, Walker, Lewis-Skelly, Burn, Konsa, Rice, Bellingham, Jones, Rashford, Foden, Kane

England substitutes: Henderson, Trafford, James, Guehi, Henderson, Colwill, Eze, Rogers, Gordon, Solanke, Bowen, Livramento

Dan Burn and @lewisskelly49 are set to make their #ThreeLions debuts ✨

Congratulations, lads! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gbxTLh0Hta

— England (@England) March 21, 2025

Albania lineup v England

Albania are without Lazio full-back Elseid Hysaj, who is yet to return from a lesion to the femoral bicep in his left thigh sustained in February.

Al-Ittihad left-back Mario Mitaj is also absent after reportedly requiring surgery on a groin and lower abdomen injury.

Albania starting XI: Strakosha, Balliu, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Aliji, Asllani, Ramadani, Asani, Bajrami, Laci, Uzuni

Albania substitutes: Kastrati, Sherri, Shehu, Manaj, Mihaj, Kumbulla, M Berisha, Muci, Ismajli, Pajaziti, Hoxka, Broja

How to watch England v Albania: TV and online stream

The game kicks off at 7.45pm UK time and can be watched on ITV1. It can also be streamed on the ITVX app and on ITV.com.