England will wrap up their final international break of the season with a friendly clash against Japan as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup.
The Three Lions head into this fixture after a 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley. Ben White marked his return to international duty with a late goal, but his night ended on a sour note after conceding a stoppage-time penalty that allowed Federico Valverde to equalise.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel was visibly disappointed with aspects of the performance and will be aiming for a stronger showing against Japan.
Meanwhile, Japan arrived in good form, having secured a late victory over Scotland. The Asian side are currently on a four-match winning streak and will be confident of testing England.
Match Details: Date, Time and Venue
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Fixture: England vs Japan
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Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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Kick-off: 7:45 PM (BST)
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Venue: Wembley Stadium
How to Watch England vs Japan
Supporters in the UK can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage starting ahead of kick-off. The game will also be available for live streaming via the ITVX platform.
Team News and Squad Updates
England have been forced into several changes following injuries and withdrawals after the Uruguay match. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke have all returned to their club for further medical checks, while John Stones is also unavailable.
Additional absentees include Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, leaving Tuchel with a reshaped squad. Jude Bellingham is not expected to feature due to ongoing fitness concerns.
There could be a return in goal for Jordan Pickford, while defensive options include Dan Burn, Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa. Tino Livramento is also in contention.
In attack, captain Harry Kane is expected to return, alongside Elliot Anderson, both of whom missed the previous match.
For Japan, Wataru Endo remains a major doubt after undergoing surgery. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu may rotate his squad, with Kaoru Mitoma pushing for a starting role.
Match Prediction
Based on current form and squad depth, this contest could be more competitive than expected. England’s recent squad disruptions may give Japan an opportunity to exploit weaknesses, particularly on the counterattack.
However, with experienced players returning to the lineup, England are still slight favourites.
Prediction: England 3–1 Japan
Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have rarely faced each other in recent years. Their last meeting came in 2010, when England secured victory 2-1 in a friendly match as reported by BBC Sport.
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England wins: 2
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Japan wins: 0
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Draws: 1
Match Odds (Latest)
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England win: 8/15
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Japan win: 4/1
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Draw: 12/5
(Odds are subject to change on each bookmaker.)
