Why England v Japan is not just another pointless Wembley friendly

Perhaps Gareth Southgate got out at just the right time. This was meant to be the summer when an England team of abundant young talent fulfilled their promise on the greatest stage. But two-and-a-half months out from the 2026 World Cup, the number of England players who are in form, fully fit and genuinely good enough to win a World Cup can be counted on one finger.

Harry Kane will lead the team out against Japan at Wembley on Tuesday night, for what will be his 113th cap. But he will not be joined by Declan Rice , Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham or John Stones. There will be no Adam Wharton or Noni Madueke, and Phil Foden would appear unlikely too.

Injuries have taken their toll . A more cynical take is that this international break is being used more for a break than for internationals. Thomas Tuchel did acknowledge that it was an odd look for 10 of Arsenal’s players to withdraw from international squads around the world this week, just before Mikel Arteta’s side embark on their treble bid.

But he insisted he wasn’t upset with Rice or Saka, who have returned to their club. “I understand the look of it,” Tuchel said, speaking at England’s temporary base at Tottenham Hotspur’s training centre on Monday. “I still have 100 per cent trust in the honesty of Bukayo and Declan.