England can wrap up qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they return to action in October.
The Three Lions have won five out of five in Group K, with a resounding 5-0 win in Serbia last time out by far the most impressive win of Thomas Tuchel’s tenure to date.
If Serbia drop more points in their crucial clash with second-placed Albania, it could clear the way for England to punch their ticket for North America with two games to spare when they visit Riga to take on Latvia on October 14.
Five days before that match, England host Wales in a Wembley friendly.
It will be the first time the sides have met since England’s 3-0 group stage win over their neighbours at the 2022 World Cup.
One of the goalscorers from that game is among those chasing a recall. And, as other big names return to form and fitness, Tuchel must choose whether to throw them straight back in or stick with the team that performed so impressively in Belgrade.
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England roster for October matches vs. Wales, Latvia
Trent Alexander-Arnold was a big name to miss out in September and the Real Madrid full-back is sidelined with a hamstring injury this time around.
Part of the reason for his omission, alongside an underwhelming start to life in the Spanish capital, was Tuchel naming a 24-man squad
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss is clearly keen on keeping competition and energy high by avoiding bloated groups closer to 30 players with tournament-sized selections.
Below is a predicted England squad for the October internationals and will be updated once the official selection has been revealed.
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Predicted England squad to face Wales and Latvia
| Pos | Name | Club | Caps |
| GK | Jordan Pickford | Everton | 78 |
| GK | Dean Henderson | Crystal Palace | 3 |
| GK | Nick Pope | Newcastle United | 10 |
| DEF | Reece James | Chelsea | 21 |
| DEF | John Stones | Manchester City | 83 |
| DEF | Ezri Konsa | Aston Villa | 14 |
| DEF | Marc Guehi | Crystal Palace | 25 |
| DEF | Dan Burn | Newcastle United | 3 |
| DEF | Djed Spence | Tottenham | 1 |
| DEF | Lewis Hall | Newcastle United | 2 |
| DEF | Miles Lewis-Skelly | Arsenal | 4 |
| MID | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | 44 |
| MID | Declan Rice | Arsenal | 68 |
| MID | Jordan Henderson | Brentford | 85 |
| MID | Morgan Rogers | Aston Villa | 8 |
| MID | Morgan Gibbs-White | Nottingham Forest | 5 |
| MID | Elliot Anderson | Nottingham Forest | 2 |
| MID | Adam Wharton | Crystal Palace | 1 |
| MID | Eberechi Eze | Arsenal | 13 |
| MID | Phil Foden | Manchester City | 45 |
| FWD | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | 109 |
| FWD | Marcus Rashford | Barcelona | 64 |
| FWD | Jarrod Bowen | West Ham | 17 |
| FWD | Anthony Gordon | Newcastle United | 14 |
| FWD | Jack Grealish | Everton | 39 |
Phil Foden back on form
Phil Foden‘s omission from Tuchel’s past two England squads was not a particular surprise, given his form and fitness woes for Manchester City for most of 2025.
However, the attacking midfielder is very much back on song with two goals and two assists after returning from his latest ankle issue last month.
Foden has thrived playing in a No. 10 role and was integral to City’s resounding home wins over Manchester United and Burnley.
The probable absence of his former team-mate Cole Palmer due to a groin strain creates an obvious space.
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Bellingham, Saka ready for comeback?
Jude Bellingham has been named as England’s player of the year for 2024/25 ahead of captain Harry Kane.
Although his minutes for Real Madrid since returning from shoulder surgery have been limited, Tuchel is likely to want to have one of his key men back in the fold.
The same can be said for Bukayo Saka whose return for England will mimic an Arsenal comeback that was hastened by the in-form Noni Madueke suffering a knee injury.
Grealish makes his case at Everton
Jack Grealish has enjoyed a new lease of life since joining Everton on loan from Manchester City.
His August performances gave too small a sample side, but the 30-year-old maintaining form and fitness should make a compelling case to Tuchel.
On the other hand, England are not short of options on the left wing. Anthony Gordon was superb against Serbia and Marcus Rashford came off the bench to complete the scoring.
Nevertheless, Grealish’s tactical intelligence and capacity to cherish possession mean he is a man Tuchel is probably keen to re-integrate before next summer.
Elsewhere in midfield, Tuchel could well be keen to have a look at Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.
Full-back questions for England boss Tuchel
Tino Livramento was another player to impress against Serbia, but is now facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Considering Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence, Tuchel is without the two men who could be his starting full-backs at the World Cup.
Livramento’s Newcastle colleague Lewis Hall could come into the reckoning, especially given Miles Lewis-Skelly’s relative lack of minutes at Arsenal this season.
Behind the back four, James Trafford could be vulnerable after losing his starting space at Manchester City, with Nick Pope well-placed to return.
