🏏 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:45 BST
England
vs
Japan
Positions estimated (no formation data from the API)
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- With about two and a half months left until the World Cup itself, this is the second match of the European tour and the final warm-up game. Japan are in the same group stage as the Netherlands and Tunisia, and a meeting with European top-level opposition at Wembley makes for the best possible simulation ahead of the finals. For England too it is a place to put on the finishing touches before the World Cup.
- In the Scotland match the starting lineup was centred on young and reserve players such as Keisuke Goto, Yuito Suzuki and Kota Sano, but for the England match first-choice players such as Kaoru Mitoma, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada and Ayase Ueda return to the starting eleven. Within the two-match preparation plan, a lineup close to the best team imagined for the finals has been assembled.
- The interplay between Japan's 3-4-2-1 and England's 4-2-3-1 is the tactical focus. Against Japan's back three (Itakura, Taniguchi, Watanabe), England field Foden as the lone striker. Meanwhile, against England's back four, Japan can create a numerical advantage with the two shadow strikers Mitoma and Ito plus lone striker Ueda. The key is which side seizes the initiative through midfield organisation.
- Kaoru Mitoma plays for Premier League side Brighton and faces England's players in the league on a daily basis. The one-on-one with right-back Ben White (Arsenal), his likely direct opponent, is a matchup repeated many times on the Premier League stage too, so watch the duel between two who know each other's tricks inside out.
- England's number 10 Cole Palmer is a 23-year-old who has again been racking up goals and assists at Chelsea this season. Against Palmer receiving the ball in the space ahead of Japan's back three, how the double pivot of Daichi Kamada and Kaishu Sano hand him over between them will be the crux of the defence.
- England's double pivot is Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson. Against the young midfield pair, both around 20, the question is whether the experienced Daichi Kamada can get the better of them with his technique and judgement. The midfield battle will determine the tempo of this match.
- Ritsu Doan comes in at right wing-back and Keito Nakamura on the left, and combined with the two shadow strikers Mitoma and Ito, four wide attackers line up in an attacking setup. The key to chance creation is whether Japan's wing-backs can get round the outside of England's back four, particularly the lightly capped Nico O'Reilly and Ben White.
- On England's bench is Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid). Should he come on, it is certain the gears will shift up a level, making for a scenario in which Japan's overall strength, including second-half game management, is tested.
- Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is a regular in Serie A at Parma and is solidifying his place as Japan's first-choice World Cup keeper. Against the shots of Premier League-class attackers such as Foden, Palmer and Gordon, attention turns to how stable a display he can produce on the big stage of Wembley.