England vs. Japan: Broadcast details, start time, live streaming options, officiating, injury updates, and team information

On Tuesday, England will compete in the second of their two March friendlies at Wembley, continuing their preparations for the World Cup with a match against Japan.

Last week, England opted to rest several key players during their 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Ben White scored to give England the lead late in the second half but conceded a penalty in the dying moments of stoppage time, marking an eventful return to the national team.

Players such as Harry Kane, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Marc Guéhi, and Elliot Anderson will return for England, as Tuchel is expected to field a starting lineup that closely resembles his intended World Cup squad.

Japan secured a late victory at Hampden Park against Scotland on Friday, with Junya Ito netting the decisive goal in the final minutes for a 1-0 win under Hajime Moriyasu’s management.

How to watch:

The match will be broadcast on ITV1 in the UK and SonyLiv in India. Additionally, ESPN will provide live updates.

Key Details:

Kick-off time: Tuesday, March 31 at 7:45 p.m. BST (2:45 p.m. ET; 12:15 a.m. IST, Wednesday and 5:45 a.m. AEDT, Friday).
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Team News:

England squad to face Japan

Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Noni Madueke are among eight players who have been released from the initially announced squad. Adam Wharton sustained an injury during the Uruguay match and has returned to Crystal Palace, as has Manchester City’s John Stones. Aaron Ramsdale, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Fikayo Tomori have also been released.

Harry Kane, Marc Guehi, Jude Bellingham, and Morgan Rogers, who did not participate in the match against Uruguay, are all expected to start for England in this fixture.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben White (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Harvey Barnes (Newcastle United), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)

Talking Points

Tuchel’s last audition before World Cup

According to Tuchel’s remarks leading up to the match, he has a solid understanding of what his squad for the World Cup will look like. Nonetheless, there remains the possibility for adjustments based on player performances, whether they are favorable or unfavorable.

Positions are available, particularly in defense. Tuchel indicated that he views Guehi and Ezri Konsa as being ahead of Harry Maguire in the competition for center-back spots. Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall are also contenders for the starting left-back position, along with right-backs Tino Livramento and Ben White.

Jude Bellingham has much to demonstrate. Tuchel has favored Morgan Rogers in the role behind Harry Kane thus far, making this match against Japan a chance for Bellingham to prove he deserves to be the starter.

Opportunity for Garner in absence of Rice

Declan Rice is expected to be a guaranteed starter for the World Cup, but the position next to him at the base of England’s midfield remains open for competition. Elliot Anderson has shown strong performances for Nottingham Forest throughout the season and has impressed in his initial international appearances last autumn. However, James Garner is also pushing for a spot.

Tuchel praised Garner’s debut performance against Uruguay, which followed a series of commendable displays for Everton this season.

“I’m very happy [with Garner] — he’s our mini Valverde,” Tuchel remarked.

“He’s progressing well, and he played exceptionally. I was confident he would perform well because he possesses natural confidence and is very physical. He won many duels.”

With Rice absent from the squad for the match against Japan, both Garner and Anderson have the opportunity to assert their case for the starting midfield role at the World Cup, even though both are likely to be included in the squad.

Mitoma test for England’s right-back

The starting right-back for England remains uncertain, but whoever Tuchel selects will face a challenge against Kaoru Mitoma. The Brighton & Hove Albion winger has been in good form in his last two matches — first for Brighton against Liverpool and then for Japan against Scotland. He was utilized as a substitute in both games, and it may be time for Hajime Moriyasu to reinstate him in the starting lineup.

Tino Livramento started against Uruguay, making it unlikely he will feature in this match. Ben White is the only right-back available in this position, although Tuchel has also considered Ezri Konsa for that role.

It should be noted that Reece James is likely ahead of these right-backs in the selection hierarchy, and if fit, will be England’s primary right-back at the World Cup.

Thus, for White and Livramento in particular, there appears to be only one position available, with Konsa likely to secure a spot due to his versatility. A strong performance against Mitoma from whoever starts could solidify that player’s place for the World Cup.

What’s Kane’s support system going to be like?

Harry Kane is enjoying an outstanding season with Bayern Munich, having established himself as one of the top strikers globally, with the England captain netting 48 goals in all competitions for the German club thus far. With Kane leading the attack, what will the support around him look like?

Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke were the primary candidates for the right-wing position, but both have departed the squad to return to their club Arsenal. Jarrod Bowen is the only natural right-winger remaining in the squad, making him a likely starter against Japan.

On the left flank, Tuchel has several options, including Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, and Harvey Barnes. After being rested for the match against Uruguay, it is probable that Gordon will start on the left.

In the no.10 position, Rogers and Bellingham are competing for minutes, and both may see action in the match against Japan. The objective for those starting in these three roles will be clear: they need to establish a strong connection with their captain, who will be crucial to England’s success at the World Cup.

Stats

• England has faced Japan only three times previously, remaining unbeaten against their Asian rivals, with two victories and one draw.

• England has won 14 of their last 16 matches, with one win and one draw in the other two encounters.

• Japan’s late victory over Scotland marked their fourth consecutive win under Moriyasu’s leadership.