Wembley prepares for a consequential UEFA Nations League evening as England meet the Czech Republic in the fourth round of the group phase, with Harry Kane set to draw level with one of the country’s most enduring international landmarks.
The 90,000-capacity stadium hosts a match England are expected to win if they are to keep pace with Spain in the group, while the Czech side arrive knowing their own position leaves little margin for error. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45, with Dutch referee Serdar Gözübüyük appointed to oversee the contest.
Kane reaches Shilton’s mark
- Harry Kane starts for England and is due to make his 125th appearance for the national team.
- The Bayern Munich forward will therefore equal Peter Shilton’s record for the most England caps.
- Kane already stands alone as England’s leading scorer, having registered 89 international goals.
England name an attacking side
Thomas Tuchel has selected Jordan Pickford in goal, behind a defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Marc Guéhi and Lewis Hall. Elliot Anderson and Myles Lewis-Skelly form the midfield base, with Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze supporting Kane.
- England: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Guéhi, Hall; Anderson, Lewis-Skelly; Morgan Rogers, Bellingham, Eze; Kane.
- England substitutes: Trafford, Steele, Chalobah, Branthwaite, Rico Lewis, Garner, Gibbs-White, Saka, Gordon, Ngumoha, Calvert-Lewin.
Czech Republic’s challenge in London
Santi Denia’s Czech Republic begin with Matěj Horníček between the posts. Vladimír Coufal, Martin Vitík, Robin Hranáč and Sláma make up the back line, while Alex Král, Šulc and Sadílek operate in midfield. Ambros, Don Naderi and Ondřej Lingr lead the visitors’ attacking effort.
- Czech Republic: Horníček; Coufal, Vitík, Hranáč, Sláma; Král, Šulc, Sadílek; Ambros, Don Naderi, Lingr.
- Czech Republic substitutes: Kovář, Kinský, Zmrzlý, Sacek, Kricfalusi, Radosta, Šubert, Bucha, Marcek, Vasulin, Hlocek, Sejk.
For England, the occasion combines a demanding group fixture with a landmark night for their captain. For the Czechs, beneath Wembley’s arch, it is a match framed by necessity as much as opportunity.
