World champions visit London
England return to competitive action for the first time since their dramatic WC campaign when world and European champions Spain visit Wembley on Saturday night. Read our preview of the big match!
The NL opener brings together two of the final four teams from this summer’s WC, but they left North America with very different emotions. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to become world champions, while England were left wondering what might have been after losing 2-1 to the same opponents in the semi-finals.
Thomas Tuchel’s side did finish the tournament on a spectacular high by beating France 6-4 in the third-place playoff, but Saturday’s meeting with the world’s number-one ranked team should provide a much more meaningful indication of where England stand two months later.
Match Analysis
England’s third-place finish represented their best WC performance since lifting the trophy in 1966, yet it was difficult to escape the sense of an opportunity missed.
The semi-final against Argentina remains particularly relevant. England led during the second half but gradually surrendered control, eventually losing 2-1. Harry Kane admitted this week that the defeat hurt more than any previous tournament elimination because England stopped playing in the manner they had discussed beforehand.
That is an important admission before facing Spain. England have generally been comfortable when they can dictate the rhythm against weaker opposition, but the recurring question is whether they can retain that confidence and aggression when facing another elite international side. Spain are perhaps the most demanding possible opponent on which to test it.
Luis de la Fuente’s team arrive at Wembley as both European and world champions. Spain followed their 2024 success by reaching another NL final in 2025, where they drew 2-2 with Portugal before losing on penalties. They then went one better on the biggest stage this summer, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the WC final.
Their consistency is extraordinary. Spain have not lost a match inside 90 minutes since a friendly defeat to Colombia in March 2024, and De la Fuente has now been rewarded with a contract running until 2032. Rather than treating the WC as the completion of a cycle, the Spanish federation has effectively committed to keeping this group and its manager together for another six years.
That continuity is one of Spain’s greatest strengths. Rodri remains the reference point in midfield, while Pedri has started the club season in excellent form and gives Spain another player capable of dictating possession under pressure. Dani Olmo can operate between the lines, Nico Williams provides direct running from the left and Lamine Yamal has already established himself as one of international football’s most dangerous attacking players.
Spain’s ability to move opponents around before suddenly accelerating is what makes them so difficult to defend against.
England’s midfield therefore becomes particularly important. Tuchel would almost certainly have wanted Declan Rice for this match, but the Arsenal midfielder is one of five players to have withdrawn from the squad. Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have also pulled out, with Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner subsequently joining the group.
Rice is the most significant absence. England are losing a midfielder who provides defensive security, physical power and the ability to carry possession through pressure. Against Spain, those qualities would have been invaluable.
Elliot Anderson should therefore assume considerable responsibility, while Alex Scott has an opportunity to make a major impression after an excellent start to the domestic season. The temptation for Tuchel could be to compensate for Rice’s absence by becoming more conservative.
That would be understandable, but it may also be dangerous. Spain are exceptionally comfortable monopolising possession. If England retreat towards their own penalty area and allow Rodri and Pedri to dictate the match without pressure, the hosts could spend long periods chasing the ball.
England’s best moments may instead come when they are brave enough to press Spain and then attack quickly after turnovers. Bukayo Saka should be central to that plan.
The Arsenal winger scored a hat-trick in the extraordinary 6-4 victory over France in the WC bronze-medal match and remains one of England’s most reliable attacking threats. His duel with Spain’s left side could provide England with one of their clearest routes towards goal.
Anthony Gordon offers something different on the opposite flank. His willingness to attack space directly can stretch Spain’s defence and potentially create room centrally for Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham’s positioning will be fascinating. England need him close enough to Harry Kane to provide support in attack but cannot afford to become outnumbered in midfield. If Spain establish numerical superiority around Rodri and Pedri, England could struggle to regain possession for extended periods.
Kane consequently has an important defensive role as well as an attacking one. The England captain is only four appearances away from Peter Shilton’s national record of 125 caps and continues to score regularly for Bayern Munich. More importantly for this particular match, his ability to drop away from the centre-backs and connect England’s attacks could provide an escape route when Spain press high.
England must nevertheless be careful not to leave Kane isolated. That was one of the problems during periods of the WC. When the team dropped deeper, Kane became disconnected from the midfield and England struggled to retain the ball after regaining possession.
Spain will attempt to create precisely that situation. There are some selection questions for De la Fuente as well. Pedro Porro withdrew through injury after initially being selected, prompting Iván Fresneda to step up from the Under-21 setup. Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García is also absent, while Gavi and Borja Iglesias were not selected. Dean Huijsen and Fermín López have returned after missing the WC.
The right-back position is therefore one area England may look to target. Eric García can play there, but he does not offer the same natural attacking width as Porro. If Nico Williams starts on the left, Spain may consequently be considerably more adventurous down that side than they are on the opposite flank.
At the other end, De la Fuente has an interesting decision at centre-forward. Mikel Oyarzabal has repeatedly been trusted in major matches and scored in Spain’s WC semi-final victory over France. Ferran Torres, however, has begun the club season in outstanding goalscoring form, increasing the competition for the central attacking position.
England at least have Wembley in their favour. They also have a respectable historical record against Spain, winning 14 of the previous 28 meetings. The problem is the most painful recent encounter: Spain beat England 2-1 in the 2024 final, and Saturday will be the first meeting between the nations since that night in Berlin.
There should be no shortage of motivation. For England, this is an opportunity to demonstrate that the WC disappointment has not created a psychological hangover and that they can play with conviction against the best team in international football.
For Spain, it is the beginning of another attempt to dominate a major competition. The NL may not carry the same prestige as the WC, but Spain take it seriously. They won the competition in 2023 and reached the final again two years later, losing to Portugal only on penalties.
De la Fuente has openly acknowledged that his team are now the side everybody wants to beat. England would love to be the first.
Team News
England’s preparations have been disrupted by the withdrawals of Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento.
Rice has been managing physical problems following a demanding WC and the start of Arsenal’s season, while Palmer has a minor muscle issue. Rashford suffered another problem during Manchester United’s draw with Fulham, and Livramento has experienced a setback following his previous calf injury.
Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner were subsequently added to the squad. Lewis Hall has also missed training this week and must be considered a doubt, creating another potential defensive problem for Tuchel.
Harry Kane should lead the attack, with Saka and Gordon strong candidates to start either side of him. Bellingham is likely to occupy the advanced midfield role, while Anderson should start in central midfield.
Spain have lost Pedro Porro from their original squad through injury, with Fresneda promoted as his replacement. Joan García is also unavailable.
De la Fuente nevertheless retains the majority of the team that won the WC, including Rodri, Pedri, Yamal, Williams, Olmo and Oyarzabal.
Betting Tips
Both teams to score at 1.58 is our preferred selection.
England are weakened in midfield and defence, but Wembley and their attacking quality make it difficult to envisage Spain completely controlling the contest. Kane, Saka and Bellingham provide enough threat to trouble any international defence.
Spain should also create chances. The absence of Rice removes England’s strongest defensive midfielder, while Tuchel may be forced to use a relatively inexperienced combination behind him. Against Yamal, Williams, Pedri and Olmo, that represents a serious examination.
Spain draw no bet at 1.52 also appeals for those looking for a result-based selection.
England are strong enough at Wembley that backing Spain outright carries obvious risk, but De la Fuente’s team have demonstrated remarkable consistency over more than two years and arrive as reigning champions of both Europe and the world.
England could absolutely win this match if they impose themselves aggressively rather than allowing Spain to dictate the tempo. On the available evidence, however, Spain look slightly better equipped to control the decisive periods.
Our prediction: England 1-2 Spain
Please note that the odds might have changed since the writing and/or publication of this article.
Last updated: 26.09.26
