England travel to Riga on Tuesday knowing victory over Latvia will confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup with two matches to spare.
The Three Lions have made light work of qualifying so far, winning all five of their Group K fixtures without conceding a single goal, and they now hold a four-point cushion over second-placed Albania with a game in hand.
The headlines will inevitably centre on the return of captain Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich striker, who missed Thursday’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales with an ankle issue, has resumed training and is expected to start in Riga.
England’s record goalscorer, with 74 international strikes to his name, will lead the line once again as Thomas Tuchel’s side look to maintain their flawless campaign.
Their form under Tuchel has been nothing short of commanding. They brushed aside Latvia 3-0 at Wembley in March in the German’s second match in charge, before thrashing Serbia 5-0 in September and outclassing Wales last week with a slick, high-tempo first half.
The Three Lions have now racked up seven straight clean-sheet victories — a run that cements their reputation as one of Europe’s meanest defences. Only Switzerland and Spain can match their record of not conceding in this qualifying cycle.
It is also a reminder of England’s remarkable consistency on the road to major tournaments. They have not lost a World Cup qualifier in 16 years — since a 1-0 defeat away to Ukraine on 10 October 2009, also on ex-Soviet soil. Few expect that streak to end in Riga.
With Kane back leading the charge and Tuchel’s side purring, England look set to finish the job in style.
Latvia possible lineup: Zviedris (GK); Savalnieks, Balodis, Cernomordijs, Jurkovskis, Ciganiks; Zelenkovs, Varslavans; Ikaunieks; Gutkovskis and Sits.
England possible lineup: Pickford (GK); Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Rogers, Rashford; Kane.