England Squad Ready to Dominate Andorra in Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier
England will be looking to recover from a lackluster June international window when they welcome Andorra for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying action on Saturday.
The Three Lions faced criticism following an unimpressive 1–0 victory against Andorra and a 3–1 friendly loss to Senegal three months prior, with Thomas Tuchel still struggling to win over England fans.
A commanding performance against European underdogs Andorra would help satisfy supporters to some degree and keep England's flawless qualifying campaign intact before a challenging encounter in Serbia on Tuesday evening.
Tuchel must navigate injury concerns for the September fixtures and may be inclined to make changes against Andorra, considering their 174th position in FIFA's global rankings.
Here's how England might set up at Villa Park.
England Predicted Lineup vs. Andorra (4-2-3-1)
GK: Jordan Pickford—The Everton shot-stopper rarely makes mistakes on international duty and should anticipate a comfortable night against Andorra. He wasn't required to make any saves in the previous meeting.
RB: Tino Livramento—Reece James, among Tuchel's preferred players, might be saved for the Serbia fixture, allowing Livramento to feature at Villa Park instead. Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence creates an opening for the Newcastle United defender.
CB: Ezri Konsa—Konsa has already received a red card at Villa Park this campaign, but the center-back should face minimal pressure on familiar ground against Andorra's attacking options this weekend.
CB: Dan Burn—Burn has secured two shutouts this season for Newcastle, including one at Villa Park, and may earn his third England appearance on Saturday.
LB: Djed Spence—The adaptable Tottenham Hotspur defender has established himself in the Spurs starting eleven and continues to deliver consistent performances. He could earn his first senior England cap here.
DM: Jordan Henderson—Similar to Gareth Southgate, Tuchel has developed an appreciation for experienced Henderson. The 35-year-old has made a promising beginning at Brentford following his summer transfer.
DM: Declan Rice—Adam Wharton would probably have participated in this match but pulled out of the England squad due to injury. This situation could result in another England start for Rice.
RW: Jarrod Bowen—Bowen has steadily accumulated 16 England caps and despite scoring just once, he consistently provides energy on the flank. He'll be eager to increase his goal count against an Andorra team that has dropped all four qualifying games without finding the net.
AM: Morgan Rogers—Aston Villa have struggled in their Premier League opening, reducing Rogers' influence. Nevertheless, Tuchel has maintained confidence in the attacking midfielder, who will capitalize on injuries to Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham.
LW: Anthony Gordon—Gordon is currently banned domestically after his dismissal against Liverpool, making Saturday's qualifier an opportunity to stay sharp before returning for the Magpies.
ST: Harry Kane—Regardless of the opposition or situation, Kane typically features in England's starting lineup. The Bayern Munich forward, who netted the decisive goal against Andorra in June, seeks to build upon his 73 international goals.
