The stage is set in Belgrade for a clash that could shape the destiny of Group K in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Serbia play host to England at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:45 pm BST on September 9, 2025. The anticipation is palpable, and the stakes could hardly be higher as Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten England side faces their toughest test yet against Dragan Stojkovic’s ambitious Serbia.
England arrive in the Serbian capital with a flawless record—four wins from four, no goals conceded, and a sense that, while the results have been efficient, the performances still leave something to be desired. Their most recent outing, a 2-0 victory over Andorra at Villa Park, was a case in point: plenty of possession and control, but little in the way of real spark. The goals came courtesy of a Christian García own goal and a header from Declan Rice, but the Three Lions’ attacking edge has been questioned. As a former Manchester City defender put it on the Football Daily podcast, "Style points don't necessarily exist in these international breaks. Especially in these early games. If you end up being stuck in one particular way it doesn't provide you with the best platform in the tournament next year."
Tuchel, ever the perfectionist, echoed these sentiments in his assessment of the Andorra match. He was quick to praise debutant Elliot Anderson, saying, "It was more of how he adapts to the situation. His nerves… is he nervous? Can he show what he has shown in training? Can he show what he showed at Nottingham Forest? Straightaway, he showed it. He played with a lot of freedom and very quickly in the flow. He has the physicality and the mindset to play in more difficult games and his performance is clearly in the mix for us to play in Serbia." Anderson’s energetic and forward-thinking display has put him firmly in contention for a starting spot in Belgrade, and his inclusion could help unlock an England midfield that has sometimes struggled for creativity.
Group K’s standings underscore the importance of this matchup. England’s four wins have them sitting pretty atop the table, goal difference of +8, but Serbia are lurking just behind with seven points from three matches. The Serbs have shown both resilience and attacking flair, bouncing back from a goalless draw with Albania to secure a 3-0 win over Andorra and a narrow 1-0 triumph away to Latvia, with Dusan Vlahovic bagging the decisive goal in Riga. Stojkovic’s men know that a win tonight would blow the group wide open, while a loss could leave them nervously glancing over their shoulders at Albania and Latvia.
The night’s narrative, however, is dominated by two names: Dusan Vlahovic and Harry Kane. The battle of the number nines is more than a subplot—it’s the headline act. Kane, England’s captain and all-time leading scorer, is set to win his 109th cap, surpassing the legendary Sir Bobby Moore. Vlahovic, the Juventus star who has become Serbia’s attacking talisman, is fresh from sealing victory in Latvia and will be eager to make his mark on home soil. Both strikers thrive on service, and both defences will need to be on high alert to prevent a decisive moment from either man.
Team news adds further intrigue. For Serbia, Stojkovic has opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation: Petrovic in goal; Erakovic, Milenkovic, and Pavlovic at the back; Nedeljkovic, Maksimovic, Lukic, and Birmancevic across midfield; with Zivkovic and I. Ilic supporting Vlahovic up front. Notably, Aleksandar Mitrovic—the nation’s all-time leading scorer—starts on the bench, potentially giving Serbia a powerful option to change the game later on. Nemanja Maksimovic returns to bolster the midfield, while Nikola Milenkovic anchors the defence.
England’s lineup, meanwhile, reflects both continuity and calculated risk. Tuchel sticks with his favored 4-2-3-1: Pickford in goal; James, Konsa, Guehi, and Livramento at the back; Anderson and Rice in the engine room; with Madueke, Rogers, and Gordon supporting Kane. The decision to rest Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly after his full debut against Andorra opens the door for Tino Livramento or Djed Spence at left back—Spence’s call-up is particularly noteworthy, as he could become the first openly Muslim player to represent England. The left-wing slot remains up for grabs, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon both staking their claims.
The unique setting of the Rajko Mitic Stadium only heightens the drama. England’s players face an intimidating 240-meter walk from the dressing room to the pitch, a tunnel adorned with artwork celebrating Red Star Belgrade’s storied history. The atmosphere promises to be electric, with Serbian fans and riot police ensuring a cauldron-like environment that will test the visitors’ mettle.
For Tuchel, tonight’s match is more than just another qualifier. Victory would see him join an elite group of England managers—Fabio Capello, Ron Greenwood, and Sven-Göran Eriksson—who began their tenures with five consecutive competitive wins. But the German coach is focused on the bigger picture. As he emphasized in the build-up, he wants a “more competitive” and “stream-lined” squad heading into the crucial autumn fixtures. The inclusion of young talents like Anderson, Gibbs-White, and Rogers signals a willingness to refresh the lineup and keep established stars on their toes.
Serbia, for their part, are determined to prove they belong on the biggest stage. Stojkovic’s selection of Vlahovic as the focal point of attack is a statement of intent, and the return of experienced campaigners like Maksimovic and Milenkovic adds steel to the spine of the team. The home side’s challenge is clear: break down an England defence that has yet to be breached in this campaign, while keeping Kane and company at bay.
The match is being broadcast live on ITV in the UK and ViX in the United States, with fans on both sides of the Atlantic eager to see how this heavyweight contest unfolds. For England, the priority remains qualification. As BBC Sport’s coverage reminds us, "Whoever they play against, England will do whatever they need to win those games of football." Style points may be secondary, but a convincing performance in Belgrade would send a message to the rest of Europe that the Three Lions mean business.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes are on Belgrade. Will Kane add to his record and lead England to another vital win? Can Vlahovic inspire Serbia to a famous home victory? Or will the night be defined by a new hero—perhaps Anderson, Rogers, or another emerging star? One thing’s for sure: with so much on the line, this is a World Cup qualifier not to be missed.
With the action about to get underway, both teams know what’s at stake. For England, a chance to tighten their grip on Group K and maintain their perfect record. For Serbia, an opportunity to announce themselves as genuine contenders. The drama is set, the players are ready, and the world is watching.
