England predicted line-up vs. Albania: Arsenal and Newcastle men handed debuts in Tuchel's first XI

The Thomas Tuchel era gets underway this evening when England welcome Albania to Wembley in the first match of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup – but who will make the new Three Lions manager’s first side?

With Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold among the players unavailable through injury, Tuchel has called up an intriguing blend of the old and the young as he starts his campaign to bring a major trophy back to England for the first time in 60 long years.

We’ve got all the latest team news and our best guess at Tuchel’s likely starting line-up below as England prepare to face an Albania side who gave a good account of themselves at last year’s European Championship.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Two of England’s most experienced centre-halves, Harry Maguire and John Stones, are out through injury for this international break, although Tuchel can at least call upon Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, who has been outstanding over the past year or two in an England shirt. Dan Burn could partner him at the back after receiving his first call-up at the age of 32, although Levi Colwill could be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Injuries to both Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall (ankle) means that two of the best candidates to start at left and right full-back are also unavailable. Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly could earn his debut on the left, while Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker and Reece James, back in the squad for the first time in almost exactly two years, will compete for the right-sided spot.

In goal, it’s expected that Jordan Pickford will continue to be his country’s number one but with Tuchel taking the unorthodox step of calling up four goalkeepers, the Everton man may have stiffer competition than expected. If Tuchel does want to experiment between the sticks, however, he may save it for a Latvia match which could be a little easier on paper.

Midfield

The make-up of Tuchel’s squad selection means that he is most likely planning to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation rather than the 3-4-3 he has used on occasion during his career in club management – but his first England squad does look a little thin in the heart of the park.

The only ‘traditional’ central midfielders included are Declan Rice, Curtis Jones and veteran Jordan Henderson, which leaves the possibility open that Jude Bellingham may play in a deeper role than he tended to under Southgate.

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Morgan Rogers could be set to get the first chance to impress in the number ten role given that Cole Palmer was forced to withdraw from the side through injury. Henderson and Rice starting in behind Bellingham may be more likely, however. One thing for sure is that Morgan Gibbs-White won’t be involved, with reports from The Telegraph indicating that he, along with Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Jarrell Quansah won’t be in Tuchel’s first matchday squad.

Forwards

Harry Kane will likely continue his record-breaking run as England’s number nine, with Dominic Solanke the only other ‘natural’ number nine in the squad – Ollie Watkins is nursing an unspecified injury sustained last week against Club Brugge, which is the most likely explanation for the Aston Villa man’s absence.

Marcus Rashford is back in the squad as well and will compete with Anthony Gordon and Phil Foden for a place on the left of England’s attack, while Foden could also be an option on the right, with Jarrod Bowen his most obvious competition for a place. Bukayo Saka has yet to return from the serious hamstring injury he sustained back in December.

Full predicted England line-up vs. Albania: Pickford; Lewis-Skelly, Colwill, Guéhi, Walker; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Gordon, Foden, Kane.