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March 19 2025, 11:03 · Alex Lawes

England vs Albania Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)

England vs Albania Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)
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It is the beginning of a new, and potentially short, era for the England national team with Thomas Tuchel beginning his 18-month deal with FIFA World Cup qualifying against Albania at Wembley.

Kick-off date/time: Friday 21st March, 2025: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 3:45pm / US PT – 12:45pm

How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – ViX

England Preview: No room for failure

England have binned off the process and the plan that was evidently working at all levels by, rather than trusting it like Argentina and Spain did with continuity appointments from within, giving an 18-month contract to German coach Thomas Tuchel with the idea of instant success.

The Three Lions finished as runners’ up at the 2024 UEFA European Championships last summer and have turned themselves into a serious challenger at international level within the last decade. They begin their new era with a visit of Albania to London this week.

Albania Preview: Stubborn Albanians

Albania, with former Barcelona and Manchester City defender Sylvinho still at the helm and Pablo Zabaleta still an assistant coach, performed well in the so-called ‘group of death’ at last summer’s UEFA EURO 2024, against Croatia, Italy and Spain.

They were eventually knocked out in the group stages, though, and have since endured a difficult few months, struggling in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, whereby ‘The Red and Blacks’ were automatically relegated from League B Group 1 in the autumn.

England Team News: Intriguing selections

Thomas Tuchel has made some surprise selections with the return of Jordan Henderson as well as a first call-up for Dan Burn, who will become England’s second oldest debutant behind Kevin Davies should he play during this break. Myles Lewis-Skelly has also earned a first call-up.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Colwill; Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Rogers, Gordon; Kane

Unavailable: Stones (Injured), Gomez (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Hall (Injured), Shaw (Injured), Mainoo (Injured), Palmer (Injured), Saka (Injured)

Questionable: 

Albania Team News: Broja back for Albania

Experienced Lazio defender Elseid Hysaj is injured for the Albanians so has been left out of the squad by Sylvinho and the same can be said for Real Zaragoza midfielder Keidi Bare. Everton striker Armando Broja has returned to fitness to be included in the squad this month.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Strakosha; Kumbulla, Djimsiti, Ismajli; Balliu, Asllani, Laci, Ramadani, Mitaj; Asani, Manaj

Unavailable: Hysaj (Injured), Bare (Injured)

Questionable: 

Key Stats

  • England have won all six matches between these teams, five without conceding a goal. All were in World Cup qualifying, in the 2022 qualifiers they won 2-0 in Albania and 5-0 at Wembley Stadium.
  • England are unbeaten in 31 consecutive World Cup qualifying matches (W23 D8) – last WCQ defeat was vs Ukraine (10/10/09, L 0-1, away).
  • England have not lost at home in a World Cup qualifying match since a 0-1 defeat against Germany in October 2000. Their home record since then is P28 W25 D3.
  • England have kept 16 clean sheets in their last 21 World Cup qualifying matches.
  • England have not failed to score in their last 28 World Cup qualifying matches at home.
  • Harry Kane has scored 17 goals in 14 World Cup qualifying appearances. His record in UEFA European Championship qualifying and World Cup qualifying combined is 40 goals in 35 appearances.
  • Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in England’s last two matches in the Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign. Three goals v. Albania and four goals v. San Marino.
  • Albania have won four of their last six World Cup qualifying matches.
  • Albania have kept four clean sheets in their last six World Cup qualifying matches.

England vs Albania Prediction

England will seek to avoid stagnation and hope to continue to play in the progressive and entertaining way that they did under the interim management of Lee Carsley. Tuchel’s football is known for being pragmatic and difficult to play against, seemingly ideally suited to knockout competition. For now, though, they need to find a cohesion in attack that may not be there against an Albania side that will seek to frustrate and counter-attack quickly with the likes of Rey Manaj and Jasir Asani. England remain firm favourites at Wembley but it could well be an awkward encounter for the hosts.

England vs Albania Tip: England to win & under 3.5 goals

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