England vs Wales sees tactical switches in the leaked England line-up, including the introduction of Phil Foden
(Image credit: Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
England vs Wales is on tonight – and the leaked England line-up suggests Gareth Southgate is willing to make tactical switches ahead of the final group game.
The likes of Gary Neville have got their wish: Phil Foden is starting his first match of the tournament. The Manchester City attacker comes in on the right-wing for Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, who got a brace in England's first game against Iran.
Foden is one of only three changes, however. The other two see Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker enter the fray.
Bukayo Saka is dropped for the game against Wales (Image credit: Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool captain Henderson came on for Jude Bellingham against the United States to shore up the midfield – and Southgate makes that change from the start against Wales, according to the rumours.
Henderson was used as a bit-part, too, during Euro 2020. Another tactical tweak of that tournament is on show tonight, too, with Kieran Trippier moving flank.
Trippier started Euro 2020 at left-back against Croatia and is set to play there again for England tonight. This would mean that Kyle Walker gets his first minutes of the tournament after being an injury doubt for the competition, slotting into his familiar right-back berth.
Gareth Southgate speaks to the media at the World Cup in Qatar (Image credit: Getty Images)
The line-up means that England's only left-footer in the entire team is Phil Foden, with no natural left-footer on the lefthand side of the pitch. whether that means that Sterling and Foden switch flanks remains to be seen. Shaw is England's only natural left-back.
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England vs Wales: The leaked England line-up in full:
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
