Albania vs England: Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams in 2026 World Cup qualifying
Full teams as England visit Albania
England play their final game of 2025 and their successful World Cup qualifying campaign when the Three Lions visit Albania on Sunday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have won all of their first seven European qualifying games without conceding, including a 2-0 home win over Serbia on Thursday through goals by Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.
The hosts enter the game buoyed by securing second spot to ensure they will feature in the play-offs, sealing a momentous achievement for the nation by winning 1-0 in Andorra three days ago.
101GreatGoals.com has the full team news from the international between Albania and England in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
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Albania starting lineup vs England
Home boss Sylvinho makes five changes, replacing Mario Mitaj, Juljan Shehu, Armando Broja, Albian Ajeti and Rey Manaj with Naser Aliji, Ardian Ismajli, Ylber Ramadani, Nedim Bajrami and Myrto Uzuni.
Albania have won their last five matches and are unbeaten in eight since their 2-0 defeat away to England on March 21.
Albania starting XI: Thomas Strakosha, Elseid Hysaj, Berat Djimsiti, Kristjan Asllani, Nedim Bajrami, Myrto Uzuni, Qazim Laci, Naser Aliji, Ardian Ismajli, Ylber Ramadani, Arber Hoxha
Albania substitutes: Mario Dajsinani, Simon Simoni, Ivan Balliu, Klisman Cake, Arlind Ajeti, Rey Manaj, Jasir Asani, Indrit Tuci, Adrion Pajaziti, Medon Berisha, Mirlind Daku, Armando Broja
England starting lineup vs Albania
With nothing on the line in qualifying, England switched seven players including goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who made way for Dean Henderson.
Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Elliot Anderson, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers were also supplanted by Jordan Henderson, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn, Adam Wharton, Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze.
England starting XI: Dean Henderson, Jarell Quansah, Declan Rice, John Stones, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Dan Burn, Adam Wharton, Nico O’Reilly, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen
England substitutes: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, Djed Spence, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Elliot Anderson, Alex Scott
How to watch Albania vs England: TV and online streams
Albania vs England kicks off on Sunday at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT) and can be watched on ITV1 and STV.
Fans can stream the action via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go
England squad vs Albania
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O’Reilly (Man City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Man City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Villa), Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
England football team World Cup qualifying fixtures
Friday, March 21: England 2-0 Albania
Monday, March 24: England 3-0 Latvia
Saturday, June 7: Andorra 0-1 England
Saturday, September 6: England 2-0 Andorra
Tuesday, September 9: Serbia 0-5 England
Tuesday, October 14: Latvia 0-5 England
Thursday, November 13: England 2-0 Serbia
Sunday, November 16: Albania vs England (17:00)
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup finals?
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place on December 5 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with the ceremony starting at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET/ 09:00 PT).
The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the two-legged play-off ties, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign and take place on March 26 and 31 2026.