England can secure qualification to the 2026 World Cup with a win in Riga against a struggling Latvia side. Currently four points clear at the top of their group and with a game in hand, England will be confident that they can continue their perfect form in the World Cup Qualifiers with a sixth win in just as many games.
Thomas Tuchel’s men made quick work of Wales in their latest friendly match on Thursday night, winning comfortably by 3-0 with Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka all featuring on the scoresheet. When speaking to ITV Sport, Tuchel described the first forty-five minutes as “an excellent first half”. They will come into the next game against Latvia full of confidence having dispatched of their close neighbours in such easy fashion.
Latvia, on the other hand, come into the game winless in their last six. Currently sitting fourth in Group K with only five points in six games, it will be a very tough test for the home team- especially considering England’s perfect defensive record as the only team in any of the UEFA groups still yet to concede a goal. Scoring has come at a premium for Paolo Nicolato’s side, with their four goals in the qualifiers being shared between four players.
The hosts will need to win both of their final games to stand any chance of qualifying for their first World Cup as an independent nation. But, following a 2-2 draw to rock-bottom Andorra in their latest fixture, it looks like their wait for an appearance on the world’s biggest stage is likely to continue.
Ahead of the last meeting between these two sides in March, Paolo Nicolato said English football was “the best in the world”, with England, just like against Wales, winning 3-0 in a convincing win at Wembley. Reece James and Eberechi Eze scored their first goals for the Three Lions, with Harry Kane claiming his customary goal. This was both teams’ second game in the qualifiers, but it set the tone for each sides qualifying campaigns thus far.
England currently need no invitation to score, and their attacking options are likely to take a boost when they travel to Latvia. Harry Kane is expected to make a return to the starting eleven following a brief period away from the team due to injury. Speaking in a press conference, Tuchel said he is “convinced that he [Kane] will be ready for the match against Latvia”. This will be music to the ears of England fans, but Latvia, however, will find this disheartening as Kane continues to shine in front of goal this season. The striker has recently become the fastest player to reach one hundred goals for a single club in Europe’s top five leagues.
Ollie Watkins filled in for the England captain during his spell out, but Kane will now return the favour as Watkins collided with the post against Wales and has returned to Aston Villa following his most recent injury. Jarrell Quansah has also pulled out of the England squad after picking up an injury with Tuchel yet to announce a replacement.
Paolo Nicolato will have largely the same cohort of players available to him. Janis Ikaunieks is likely to start with the 21 year-old Dario Sits, who was taken off at half time against Andorra, to lead the attack. Vladislavs Gutkovskis bagged his 12th goal for Latvia on Saturday- an achievement only eight other Latvian men have accomplished meaning he will be one to watch.
A decisive match awaits with vastly different consequences for both teams. A place in the World Cup beckons for England, whilst Latvia will be praying for a miracle on Tuesday night to give them something.
