England will aim to conclude the first international break of the year with another momentum-building performance against Japan at Wembley on Tuesday.
The first international break of the year will end this week. While the focus in Europe will be on the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, some friendlies, including England vs Japan at Wembley, are also eye-catching.
England’s progress under Thomas Tuchel has been exponential, with the Three Lions barely conceding any goals while having a potent goal threat in the final third. However, the friendly against Uruguay last week showed the Three Lions’ soft underbelly, as they conceded a late strike to play out a 1-1 draw.
On the other hand, Japan produced a gritty performance to hold on for a 1-0 win over Scotland last week, with Junya Ito scoring the match-winning goal. The result stretched the Samurai Blue’s winning run to four games, and they have lost only one of their last 11 matches.
The most recent match featuring Japan and England ended in a 2-1 win for the Three Lions, with all three strikes coming from Japanese players. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
England
Thomas Tuchel has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Eight players have pulled out from the home side’s squad, leaving the German tactician with 27 players for the match against Japan.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are no longer with England for the game vs Japan, with the duo requiring medical assessment. Additionally, John Stones and Noni Madueke have also withdrawn due to fitness issues. Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori, Adam Wharton, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have left the camp to return to their clubs.
Jordan Pickford will take his spot between the sticks, with England lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Japan on Tuesday. The backline will feature Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, and Nico O’Reilly.
As for the midfield unit, Elliot Anderson will pair up with Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, with Morgan Rogers reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Harry Kane will lead the line for England against Japan, with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; White, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Mainoo; Palmer, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
Japan
Like his counterpart in England’s dugout, Hajime Moriyasu has new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Wembley. Japan’s head coach has seen two players pull out of the squad for the midweek friendly.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Tomoya Ando have withdrawn from the group, leaving Moriyasu with 28 players. Meanwhile, captain Wataru Endo and vice-captain Takumi Minamino are not in the squad due to their fitness issues, with Daizen Maeda taking over the armband in their absence.
Zion Suzuki will take his spot between the sticks, with Japan lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs England on Tuesday. The central defensive unit will feature Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, and Hiroki Ito. Meanwhile, Yukinari Sugawara and Kaoru Mitoma should start as the two wing-backs.
The wide duo will provide width in the final third and protect the three centre-backs, and their work-rate will be crucial for the away side. As for the midfield unit, Kaishu Sano and Daichi Kamada will pair up in the double pivot. Finally, Ayase Ueda will spearhead Japan’s attack against England, with Daizen Maeda and Ritsu Doan completing the numbers in the offensive unit.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, Ito; Sugawara, Kaishu Sano, Kamada, Mitoma; Doan, Maeda; Ueda
Key Stats
- England are unbeaten in their three games against Japan, beating them 2-1 in June 1995 in the Umbro Cup and in a May 2010 friendly, while they shared a 1-1 draw in June 2004. An Asian nation has never previously beaten England in 10 attempts (D4 L6). Tuesday’s game will be England’s first game against an Asian team since a 6-2 win over IR Iran in November 2022 at the FIFA World Cup.
- England have won just two of their last seven friendly matches (D2 L3), having won 12 consecutive games between 2018 and 2023 before this run.
- England have scored in their last 21 matches in all competitions since a 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024. It is their longest scoring streak since a 32-game run between 1902 and 1910.
- Japan are unbeaten in in their last seven matches against European nations across all competitions (W6 D1), winning their three most recent games against Germany, Turkiye and Scotland. They have won four successive clashes twice before in May 2009 and February 2013.
- Ten of England’s last 18 goals have come via set piece situations (5x corner, 3x free-kick, 2x penalty), with 40% of those being scored or assisted by Arsenal players.
- Junya Ito has four goal involvements across his last three matches (G1 A3) and could score in successive matches for the national team for the first time since September 2023 (run of three).
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
While Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Cole Palmer were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Harry Kane as the Player to Watch for Tuesday’s friendly between England and Japan at Wembley.
England’s captain has scored ten goals across his last ten international appearances, and he can net twice or more in successive matches for his national team for the first time since November 2021 against Albania (3) and San Marino (4). So, he will be the go-to player for Thomas Tuchel in the final third.
Prediction
England 2-1 Japan
Japan will feel they can spring a surprise and frustrate England for the second successive game in this month’s international break. However, Harry Kane’s return will galvanise the home side, and they will produce many eye-catching moments in the final third.
The skipper will be at his best, and he will deliver the goods in the final third. However, Japan will exploit England’s soft underbelly at the back, although that may not be enough to take anything from Tuesday’s clash. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Thomas Tuchel and his charges.