On the evening of March 21, 2025, England will host Albania at Wembley Stadium, marking their first match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers under newly appointed head coach, Thomas Tuchel. Fans are buzzing with excitement as the Three Lions prepare to embark on what they hope will be a successful campaign leading to the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next year.
Tuchel, a former manager of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, is keen to make his mark with the national team, aiming for a strong start against a side that has struggled in recent outings. "We hope to make a winning start as we begin our journey towards the World Cup," Tuchel stated, setting the tone for his inaugural match.
England enters the fixture with confidence, ranked fourth in the FIFA World Rankings, while Albania sits significantly lower at 65th. This ranking disparity is reflected in the betting odds; England is heavily favored at 1.16 (16/100), while Albania's odds sit at 23.00 (22/1). As for the Draw, it is positioned at 9.0 (8/1).
The historical context does not favor Albania, either. They have faced England six times previously, losing each encounter and managing to score only once during those matches. This is compounded by Albania's disappointing record against top-ten teams, having lost 17 of their last 19 fixtures against sides in that elite group.
In contrast, England comes into this match with a solid form, having won five of their last six games. Significant contributions have come from key players such as Harry Kane, who has not only scored an impressive 69 goals in 103 international caps but has also averaged 1.8 shots on target per game over recent competitions. Similarly, Jude Bellingham has been engaged in the offense, recording six goal contributions across his last eight international matches.
Albania's recent performance has raised concerns among their supporters. Although they showed resilience during Euro 2024, drawing with Croatia and narrowly missing victories against Italy and Spain, their struggles in the Nations League indicate that they have fallen into a rut. Their record of two wins, one draw, and three losses in six autumn fixtures reflects ongoing challenges. Most troubling, they lost matches to Ukraine and Georgia at home—historically tough locales for them.
The visitors will lean on their recent tournament experience as they prepare for this daunting task. Their players are aware of the immense pressure that comes from facing such a formidable opponent and will need to deliver under the spotlight from the 90,000 fans expected to pack Wembley.
If England is to dominate, speculations suggest they might go for a more aggressive strategy. Various betting platforms have predicted that an England Asian Handicap of -2.0 could yield favorable returns, priced at 1.89 (9/10). Punters are increasingly inclined to back England with a significant margin, especially considering the difference in quality and morale.
In terms of player performances, there are specific market trends. Both Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are slated as potential match-winners. Bellingham, positioned centrally, is expected to take a few shots, with an over 0.5 shots on target bet available at 1.8 (4/5). For Kane, over 1.5 shots on target is also anticipated, offering odds of 2.05 (21/20). These selections highlight the expectations placed upon them as guiding lights in England's attacking strategy.
With Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn earning their respective call-ups for potential debuts, the squad is fresh with enthusiasm and ready to prove themselves under Tuchel's leadership. The absence of several players due to injury—including John Stones and Luke Shaw—presents opportunities for newcomers and those looking to cement their places in the national side.
As excitement builds for the kickoff at 7:45 PM GMT, all eyes will be on England as they aim to start their qualifying campaign on a high note. Viewers can tune in to watch the action unfold live on ITV1 and ITVX. The stage is set at Wembley, and the countdown to a thrilling clash has begun!
