England Eyes World Cup Qualification Against Latvia Tonight

RIGA, Latvia — England aims to secure its place in the 2026 World Cup with a victory against Latvia tonight at 7:45 PM BST. Under head coach Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions have dominated Group K, winning all five of their qualifiers without conceding a single goal.

The England squad sees captain Harry Kane return from injury to replace Ollie Watkins, who has been sidelined due to a knee problem. Myles Lewis-Skelly joins a reshuffled defense, partnering with John Stones and Ezri Konsa. The England lineup includes goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, right-back Djed Spence, and forwards Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon.

England’s last match was a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Wales, where they showcased a strong performance with three early goals. Tuchel’s side has scored 11 goals in the qualifying rounds and continues to build momentum heading into this crucial match.

Latvia, ranked 137th in the world, has only managed five points from six qualifiers and faces a difficult task. They require a win to keep their slim hopes of a playoff alive, having only won four of their last 31 matches. Latvia’s squad features players mainly from its domestic league, with 21-year-old Dario Šits from Atlético Madrid B being a notable forward.

If England defeats Latvia, it will guarantee their qualification for next summer’s tournament, adding pressure on Latvia to pull off an upset. Kickoff is set for 9:45 PM in Riga, as both teams aim for their desired outcome.