England conclude their preparations for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening when they face Costa Rica in Orlando, in what marks their final warm‑up friendly before the tournament begins.
The Three Lions enter the clash after a narrow victory over New Zealand, while their opponents arrive following a 3–1 defeat to Colombia.
Verdict: Total England goals over 2.5
England’s penultimate friendly against New Zealand was far from convincing, with a difficult pitch, testing conditions and numerous tactical changes contributing to a disjointed display. Ultimately, it was a familiar figure who made the difference, as Harry Kane’s glancing header just before half‑time secured a 1–0 victory and ended a brief two‑match winless run.
Despite the result, Thomas Tuchel was not satisfied with the overall performance, and this final friendly offers one last chance to refine his preferred system ahead of the World Cup opener against Croatia. With a full week between this match and the start of the tournament, the England boss is expected to move away from experimentation and field a more settled lineup.
There are still concerns in the final third. England have yet to score more than once in a match in 2026, suggesting a lack of attacking fluency that Tuchel will be keen to address. However, defensive solidity continues to stand out, with each of their last 12 victories coming without conceding, highlighting a foundation upon which to build.
Team News
Squad availability has improved significantly. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have all joined the squad after their involvement in the Champions League final and are now in contention to start. Rice and Saka in particular are expected to return immediately to the XI, bringing balance and creativity to the side.
Further changes are also anticipated, with Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Nico O’Reilly pushing for starting roles. At the back, John Stones and Marc Guehi are likely to continue as Tuchel’s preferred central defensive pairing, offering continuity in a key area.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica head into this match still reeling from their failure to qualify for the World Cup, missing out after finishing behind Haiti and Honduras in the final phase of CONCACAF qualifying. That disappointment led to the departure of head coach Miguel Herrera, with Fernando Batista stepping in to lead the next phase of the team’s rebuild.
Batista’s tenure has yet to gain momentum. Since his appointment, Costa Rica have drawn 2–2 with Jordan before suffering heavy defeats to Iran and Colombia, conceding a total of 10 goals across those matches. Defensive fragility has been a major concern, particularly against stronger opposition, and it remains a significant issue heading into this fixture.
Team News
Leadership, and much of the attacking responsibility is expected to fall on Manfred Ugalde. The Spartak Moscow striker, with 11 international goals, is the leading scoring threat in the current squad and will be tasked with testing England’s defence.
There is one notable absence, however. Veteran forward Joel Campbell has not been called up for this squad, removing an experienced option in attack and placing even greater emphasis on younger players to deliver.
Key Factors to Consider
- England have failed to score more than once in a match throughout 2026 so far.
- Each of England’s last 12 victories has come with a clean sheet, underlining defensive strength.
- Key players such as Saka and Rice have returned and could significantly improve England’s attacking balance.
- Costa Rica have conceded 10 goals across their last three matches, highlighting defensive issues.
- The absence of Joel Campbell limits Costa Rica’s experience in attack.
- England are expected to field a stronger, more settled XI compared to their previous friendly.
Conclusion
While England’s recent attacking displays have been underwhelming, the return of key players and the likely shift toward a first‑choice lineup should improve their overall cohesion. With the World Cup just days away, Tuchel’s side will be eager to deliver a convincing performance and build confidence.
Costa Rica, meanwhile, are in the midst of rebuilding after a difficult qualification campaign and have struggled to find stability under their new coach. Their defensive weaknesses, combined with a lack of momentum, present a challenging outlook against high‑quality opposition.
Even if the performance is not flawless, England are expected to finish their preparations on a positive note, securing victory and heading into the World Cup with growing optimism.
Verdict: Total England goals over 2.5
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