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England host Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on Friday in an international friendly, as Thomas Tuchel prepares his squad for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The fixture represents England’s final gathering before the tournament, offering one last opportunity to refine selections and tactics.
England arrive with strong momentum after completing a flawless qualification campaign, capped by a 2-0 win over Albania in November. Harry Kane scored both goals in that match, extending his consistent scoring record for the national team. The England captain has registered 10 goals in his last 10 international appearances, including nine under Tuchel.
Tuchel has selected an expanded 35-man squad for the March fixtures, though injuries have forced some late adjustments. Jarell Quansah and Eberechi Eze withdrew, with Ben White and Harvey Barnes added to the group. Trent Alexander-Arnold is among the notable absentees.
England’s defensive record remains a key strength heading into the fixture. The Three Lions have kept clean sheets in 11 of their last 12 matches, including six consecutive shutouts since a defeat to Senegal in June 2025. Another clean sheet at Wembley would match the national record of seven consecutive shutouts achieved in 2021.
Kane is not the only attacking player in form. Anthony Gordon has scored 10 goals for Newcastle United across all competitions in 2026, placing him among the most productive Premier League players this calendar year. His recent output provides Tuchel with another attacking option alongside established names such as Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden.
Despite their recent consistency, England’s record against South American opposition remains mixed. They have won only two of their last 11 matches against teams from the continent, with their last victory in such fixtures coming in 2014 against Peru. They are winless in five matches against South American sides, including a defeat to Brazil at Wembley in 2024.
Uruguay arrive in London seeking a response after a 5-1 defeat to the United States in their most recent outing. Marcelo Bielsa’s side had previously avoided consecutive defeats since a difficult run in late 2021, and the upcoming match offers a chance to reset ahead of their own World Cup campaign.
Federico Valverde is expected to play a central role for Uruguay. The Real Madrid midfielder recently delivered a standout performance in the UEFA Champions League, scoring a first-half hat-trick across the two-legged tie against Manchester City. His influence in midfield could prove decisive against England’s structured defensive setup.
Bielsa has named a 28-player squad for the friendly, blending experience and attacking options including Darwin Núñez and Giorgian de Arrascaeta. The match also marks a return to Wembley for Bielsa, who previously managed there with Argentina, drawing 0-0 in 2000 before a narrow defeat at the 2002 World Cup.
Head-to-head history suggests a cautious contest. England have won only three of their 11 meetings with Uruguay, and two of the four encounters at Wembley have ended goalless. The last meeting between the sides came at the 2014 World Cup, where Uruguay secured a 2-1 victory.
Recent performance trends and squad depth give England a clear edge going into the fixture. Pre-match projections assign them a 58.4% probability of victory, compared to 19.9% for Uruguay, with a draw standing at 21.7%. However, England’s recent struggles against South American opponents underline the potential for a competitive contest.
With the World Cup approaching, both teams are expected to prioritise structure and cohesion over risk. For England, maintaining defensive consistency and integrating attacking options will be central. For Uruguay, the focus will be on restoring balance after their last result and testing key players against high-level opposition.
Kick-off at Wembley offers a final benchmark for both sides before the global stage, with selection decisions and tactical adjustments likely to shape their trajectories heading into the summer tournament.