Preview: England vs Japan – stats, team news, line-ups

England return to Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night to take on Japan, four days after their first international friendly against Uruguay.

Thomas Tuchel’s side put in a massively underwhelming display in their most recent outing, drawing 1-1 with Uruguay on Friday evening.

The German head coach will demand an improved performance in what will be England’s second of four international friendly fixtures ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

However, the Three Lions will need to be wary of the threat Japan carries, particularly after snatching a 1-0 victory against Scotland at Hampden Park on Saturday.

England saw their six-match winning streak grind to a crushing halt on Friday as Thomas Tuchel’s experimental line-up failed to see out a lead against Uruguay at Wembley.

With a number of players yet to link up with the rest of Tuchel’s squad, the German head coach was forced to make do with what was available.

However, that decision came back to bite him as the Three Lions looked disjointed from the get-go.

They lacked rhythm and cohesion, as well as attacking ideas, with players who had the opportunity to impress failing to do so.

Back in the fold after a near-four-year exile, Ben White was firmly in the spotlight, and his night was anything but straightforward.

He bagged the opener in the 81st minute, poking home at the far post following a scramble in the box.

That was supposed to be his crowning moment, marking his return to the national team in style. But that euphoria didn’t last long as White’s error turned the game on its head.

The Arsenal defender gave away a penalty in the last minute, allowing Federico Valverde to rifle home an equaliser that also ended England’s impressive 629-minute streak without conceding.

The Three Lions may have failed to equal an all-time record, but they have extended their unbeaten run at Wembley under Tuchel and have now scored in 21 consecutive games.

The stalemate also means England have failed to win their opening game of a calendar year for just the third time in the last 14 years.

However, they’ll get the chance to restart their winning streak when they welcome Japan to Wembley for another international friendly fixture on Tuesday.

The Samurai Blue are coming off a 1-0 victory over Scotland, extending their winning streak to four games on the bounce and extending their unbeaten run to five matches.

Interestingly, they’ve also kept three consecutive clean sheets, meaning England may have their work cut out when both sides lock horns.

At least eight players have withdrawn from England’s camp ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Japan.

Crystal Palace midfielder and Arsenal forward Noni Madueke were injured during the draw against Uruguay, while Manchester City centre-back John Stones picked up a knock before the stalemate.

Madueke’s club teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have also returned to Arsenal for “medical assessments”, while AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, and Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin have returned to their clubs too.

However, Tuchel still has 27 players ready to face Japan, including Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Elliott Anderson, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, who watched Friday’s stalemate from the stands.

Japan are also going through a similar issue. One notable exclusion is former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who was forced to withdraw from the Japanese squad due to injury.

Fortunately for Japan, they left Hampden Park unscathed on the injury front, meaning head coach Hajime Moriyasu has plenty of options to choose from ahead of Tuesday’s friendly clash with the Three Lions.

Brighton & Hove Albion forward Kaoru Mitoma and Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada came on as substitutes against Scotland but should return to the starting XI against England at Wembley.

(4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Elliott Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo; Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

(3-4-2-1): Zion Suzuki; Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Hiroki Ito; Yukinari Sugawara, Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma; Ritsu Doan, Daizen Maeda; Ayase Ueda.