England National Team Begins World Cup Preparations with Surprise Squad Changes. In their first warm-up match ahead of the World Cup, England took to the field without several key players. The coach opted for an experimental lineup. The match was held in Florida against New Zealand.
The England national team has begun its World Cup preparations in the United States—holding their first friendly match against New Zealand at the Raymond James Stadium in Florida. The fixture attracted attention not only because of the opponents but also due to unexpected decisions from the English coaching staff: several well-known players were left out of the starting lineup, and some were not included in the squad at all.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel opted for an experimental lineup. Among the substitutes was one of the most talked-about footballers in recent weeks—a Madrid club player who was recently named man of the match in the Conference League final, but did not make the final World Cup roster. His involvement on the field was limited to a pre-match ritual, and the player showed no emotion before the game began.
England's attack featured two forwards—Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins—along with Marcus Rashford, who earned a spot in the starting eleven. The lineup also included Pickford, Quansah, Stones, Guehi, Spence, Henderson, Mainoo, and Rogers. Notably absent were names like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Jarrod Bowen—a decision that has already raised questions among fans and experts.
The New Zealand national team also fielded a strong lineup: Tim Payne, who has become a real internet sensation in recent weeks, was in the starting eleven, and the attack was led by Chris Wood, a Europa League semifinalist with Nottingham. The New Zealand starting squad also included Crocombe, Surman, Boxall, Kakace, Bell, Stamenic, Singh, Just, and Garbett.
Raymond James Stadium in Florida, which can accommodate up to 75,000 spectators for major events, served as the venue for the first test of the revamped England squad. For Tuchel, this match was an opportunity to try out new tactical solutions and assess players who could become the tournament's unexpected heroes. Ahead for England are group stage matches at the World Cup against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
Warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup traditionally spark discussion about squad selections and strategies. In light of the recent decision by Spain's head coach not to include a single player from the Madrid club in the squad — more on this can be found in the article on Spain's squad for the 2026 World Cup — the actions of England's staff appear to continue the trend of updates and unexpected personnel changes in Europe's top national teams.
For reference: the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. England is traditionally regarded as one of the favorites of the tournament, but in recent years the team has faced criticism for inconsistent results and controversial personnel decisions. A new wave of changes in the lineup could either strengthen the team or create additional challenges on the road to the final.
