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

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England kicked off the Thomas Tuchel era with a fairly routine victory against Albania the other day as they now take on a Latvia side that also enjoyed a win in their opening qualifier.

Kick-off date/time: Monday 24th 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 – Fox Soccer Plus

England Preview: Same but different

In Thomas Tuchel’s opening game, England defeated Albania by two goals to nil at Wembley Stadium on Friday. Debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring in the first-half before captain and Three Lions’ top scorer Harry Kane scoring in the second-half.

The UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA EURO 2024 runners’ up were controlled and conceded a solitary shot on target from distance. However, as Tuchel said in his post-match interview, their energy levels dropped after a relatively first opening ten minutes or so.

Latvia Preview: Over the line

Latvia have become one of the weakest sides in Europe and have steadily and consistently declined in the last couple of decades since qualifying for UEFA EURO 2004. They did manage to begin FIFA World Cup qualification with a victory the other day, though.

The Latvians defeated Andorra by a goal to nil in Andorra la Vella the other day thanks to a 58th minute strike by Dario Sits. Latvia were poor in the UEFA Nations League in the autumn, finishing rock-bottom in their League C group.

England Team News: No Gordon

After coming off the bench the other day, Anthony Gordon suffered an injury that has seen him have to withdraw from the England squad this week. His Newcastle United teammate Dan Burn became the oldest debutant since Kevin Davies in England’s 2-0 win over Albania.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Burn, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Jones; Bowen, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane

Unavailable: Gordon (Injured)

Questionable:

Latvia Team News: Sits likely to come in

The aforementioned Dario Sits came off the bench for Latvia at half-time against Andorra and, after scoring the winning goal in that game, he is now expected to start with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for the visitors.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Zviedris; Balodis, Cernomordijs, Jurkovskis; Savalnieks, Savaljevs, Sits, Ciganiks; Zelenkovs, Ikaunieks; Gutkovskis

Unavailable:

Questionable:

Key Stats

This is the first international match between these teams.
England are unbeaten in their last 32 World Cup qualifying matches (W24 D8) – last WCQ defeat was vs Ukraine (10/10/09, L 0-1, away). This is the longest current unbeaten streak of any European team.
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 P29 W26 D3.
England have kept 17 clean sheets in their last 22 World Cup qualifying matches.
England have not failed to score in their last 29 World Cup qualifying matches at home.
England have lost only two of their last 14 international matches (W9 D3).
Latvia are aiming to win three successive World Cup qualifying matches for only the second time. They previously achieved the feat in 2009.
Latvia are aiming to start a World Cup qualifying campaign with successive wins for only the second time. They previously did so in the 1938 prelims when they won back-to-back matches against Lithuania.

England vs Latvia Prediction

England didn’t quite put their foot down against Albania at Wembley the other day but it would be encouraging to supporters that Tuchel recognised that and did suggest there needs to be improvement here. They face a Latvia side that could well be in the fourth-tier of the UEFA Nations League in the next edition, showing their general lack of quality. England will be expected to win comfortably without having much to worry about at either end.

England vs Latvia Tip: England to win to nil