Tuchel's Injury-Hit England Face Giant-Killing Japan: Wembley World Cup Dress Rehearsal

Imagine rocking up to Wembley with half your squad sidelined – that's the pickle Thomas Tuchel finds himself in ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Japan. It's the last home game before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and after a gritty 1-1 draw with Uruguay, the Three Lions need a sharp performance. But with injuries piling up, will they roar or merely meow?

Squad Shredded: Who's In, Who's Out?

England's camp looks like a hospital ward. Noni Madueke limped off against Uruguay, John Stones picked up a knock pre-match, and Declan Rice plus Bukayo Saka have scarpered back to Arsenal for checks. Add Fikayo Tomori, Aaron Ramsdale, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin returning to clubs, and Tuchel's down to a 27-man squad – still enough firepower, mind.

The good news? Stars like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Marc Guéhi, and Elliot Anderson are back in the mix. Expect a lineup closer to Tuchel's World Cup blueprint. Over in the Japan camp, Hajime Moriyasu misses ex-Gunner Takehiro Tomiyasu to injury, but no fresh woes from their 1-0 win at Scotland. Kaoru Mitoma and Daichi Kamada should start after bench cameos.

Kick-off's 7:45pm BST at Wembley – tune in on ITV1 or ITVX if you're stateside... or nursing a pint.

Form Guide: Lions Adjusting, Samurai Blue on Fire

England's unbeaten in seven, with just one loss since October 2024 across 14 games. World Cup qualifying? Spot on – eight wins, zero goals conceded. Friendlies? Patchy, just two wins in seven, including that Uruguay stalemate.

Japan, the 'Samurai Blue', are the real story. First non-host to qualify for 2026, they're five unbeaten and loving upsetting big boys – think top European and South American scalps. That Scotland victory? Pure class. As Mark White noted at FourFourTwo, these lads are giant-killers.

Predicted XIs? England: Pickford; Livramento, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Garner; Palmer, Rogers, Gordon; Kane. Japan: Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, Ito; Sugawara, Sano, Kamada, Mitoma; Doan, Maeda; Ueda. Tuchel's tinkering for the long haul.

Tuchel's Brutal Honesty: Maguire Renaissance or Bench Fodder?

Tuchel doesn't mince words, does he? Post-Uruguay, he praised Harry Maguire's display – calm on the ball, aerial beast, set-piece weapon. But then the kicker: "I see others ahead – Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah for mobility. John Stones too, injuries aside."

Maguire's no mug. Back after 18 months, he bossed dribbles, punts, and blocks. He's a 2018 World Cup veteran, header king from Russia. Southgate loved him; United bosses too. Yet Tuchel's blunt as a sledgehammer – even slagged off Bellingham's mum and told fans to shut it against Wales.

Is Tuchel underrating a renaissance man? Maguire could be World Cup gold with his experience. But hey, Tuchel's building a mobile machine. It'll be intriguing to see if the big man starts or warms the bench.

This clash is a proper test. England need rhythm; Japan fancy an upset. Wembley magic or Samurai shock? Grab the popcorn – or better, a lager – and watch the drama unfold.