The Thomas Tuchel -era begins on Friday evening when the former manager of Chelsea and Bayern Munich monitors his first game for England.
The 51-year-old was officially appointed English boss last October, but only began at the beginning of the calendar year. He had several months to plan and prepare before his first excursion, and a visit from Albania is a fairly inviting start for the Germans.
England begins his qualification campaign of the FIFA World Championship 2026 in the Wembley Stadium against the surprise qualification of the Euro 2024 and will be back in action on Monday evening when Latvia is visited. Your other competitor in Group K are Serbia and Andorra.
There was a lot of speculation about what the future is under Tuchel and England supporters who will definitely experience the first glance to what they hope is an exciting reign. Albania showed their ability to cause problems with the euro of the last summer, but they should not prove a game for the motivated three lions.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Tuchels England debut.
England against Albania H2H Record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
England | Albania |
|---|---|
England 5-0 Ireland – 17/11/24 | Albania 1-2 Ukraine – 19/11/24 |
Greece 0-3 England – 14/11/24 | Albania 0-0 Czech Republic – 16/11/24 |
Finland 1-3 England – 13/10/24 | Georgia 0-1 Albania – 14/10/24 |
England 1-2 Greece – 10.10.24 | Czech Republic 2-0 Albania – 10.10.24 |
England 2-0 Finland – 09.10.24 | Albania 0-1 Georgia – 10/09/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV player, UTV |
United States | Fubotv, Vix |
Canada | Dazn Canada |
It is difficult to predict how Tuchel is set up for the first time as head coach of England, but his selection was somewhat limited by injuries. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer are among the absence-lasting ones withdraw in the squad and replaced by Morgan Gibbs-White.
There were some surprising omissions, especially Ollie Watkins and Conor Gallagher, while the selection of Jordania Henderson and Marcus Rashford raised some eyebrows – both missed the youngest squad.
Dan Burn achieved the Carabao Cup in Wembley last weekend when Newcastle United won and he selected because he has never represented England at a level before. Jarell Quansah and Myles Lewis-Skelly are at the other end of the old-age scale, but both defenders hope to achieve senior debuts in the next two games.
The leading names were all selected, with Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Declan Rice to take quick starts under Tuchel.
England predicted the line-up against Albania (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Henderson, rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Cane.
The recent return of Armando Broja from the injury increased Sylvinho’s options in front of collapse with England and Andorra, with the striker of On-Loan Everton aimed at punishing the club colleague and the English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Last weekend he only returned to West Ham United from a two -month absence.
Rangers, who attack the midfielder Nedim Bajrami, is another England who has to keep an eye on in Wembley. The 26-year-old, who was achieved against Italy at Euro 2024, contributed nine goals in Scotland this season.
Albania predicted the line-up against England (4-3-3): Strakosha; Balliu, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Aliji; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Muci.
Albania will not be a push in Wembley, but should be overwhelmed by an experienced and impressive English team that is stimulated by her new trainer. You will aim to keep the score low and to set a counterattack threat.
The hopes of a considerable and emphatic victory against Tuchel’s arc may be ambitious, since he had very little time to work with his new players, and was never a trainer who was known for his expressive approach.
A comfortable victory, a clean leaf and proof of fresh ideas should be enough to please the home supporters on Friday evening.