Preview: England vs Uruguay – stats, team news, line-ups

Anything short of securing a spot in the final would likely be seen as a massive disappointment. The Three Lions will head into the tournament as one of the early favourites, with Tuchel’s troops fancied to go all the way this summer. Their journey to the tournament could hardly have been smoother.

England dominated their qualification group, winning all eight matches, scoring 22 goals without conceding any. That record is hardly a reflection of their competence, considering the calibre of opponents they faced in Group K, but the flawless run was a massive morale boost nonetheless. Recent performances have only added to the optimism, with England winning all of their last six games across all competitions.

The last time England played in a friendly was back in October 2025 when they beat Wales 3-0, courtesy of goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Bukayo Saka. That victory preceded three consecutive qualifier wins against Latvia, Serbia, and Albania as the Three Lions wrapped up their campaign in style. England will now continue their preparation for the World Cup with a series of friendlies that kicks off with Friday’s showdown against Uruguay.

Interestingly, the Three Lions have won just one of their last six games against Uruguay in all competitions (D2, L3). They have also won just three of their 11 meetings with the South American giants (D3, L5). After Friday’s outing, England will also face Japan, New Zealand, and Costa Rica in their four international friendlies ahead of the World Cup opener.