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England vs Japan: LIVE match ratings and alternative commentary

FourFourTwo are bringing you England vs Japan live match ratings, as Thomas Tuchel's side play their second March international

General view inside the stadium prior to the international friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium on March 31, 2026 in London, England.
It's England vs Japan – live from Wembley Stadium! (Image credit: © Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

England vs Japan: live match ratings:

Jordan Pickford: 6
Ben White: 6 (off, ‘58)
Ezri Konsa: 6
Marc Guehi: 6
Nico O'Reilly: 7 (off, ‘58)
Elliot Anderson: 7
Kobbie Mainoo: 7
Cole Palmer: 5 (off, ‘58)
Morgan Rogers: 6
Phil Foden: 5 (off, ‘58)
Anthony Gordon: 6

Subs
Tino Livramento: 6 (on, ‘58)
Jarrod Bowen: 6 (on, ‘58)
Lewis Hall: 6 (on, ‘58)
Dominic Solanke: 6 (on, ‘58)

What do you think though? Choose your own England vs Japan: live match ratings…

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Keito Nakamura perilously close for the Japanese – and now we have another drinks break.

Poland have equalised against Sweden. 2-2.

Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

Live scenes of Robert Lewandowski (Image credit: Getty Images)

Four subs coming on for England.

Update: Japan are decent.

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Aaaaand we're back for the second half.

Some scores from around Europe…

Here's a quiz to keep you going till the second half: can you name these 100 badges?

Half-time: 1-0 Japan.

And the woodwork's hit again – this time by Ayase Ueda.

Anderson rattles the bar.

Mitoma with the finish.

Palmer dispossessed, Konsa doesn't close it down. It's not great defending – and now we've got a drinks break for TT to lay into his players. We go again.

1-0 Japan. Oops.

Marcelo Bielsa comes to Wembley on Friday night – a few days later, Tuchel is sat on the drinks box. Is there no one El Loco has influenced?

Ben White is an intriguing prospect for a full-back to take to the World Cup, when you think about it.

And as evidenced by his nonchalance on Friday night after #BooGate, he's not going to be overawed by any kind of pressure. Welcome, The New David Batty.

Czech Republic are 1-0 up on Denmark.

First blood in the qualifiers – as it stands, Soucek and the lads are heading to North America.

Ben White getting to the byline for a cross, wins England's first corner – and then all hell breaks loose.

Foden wins a free-kick.

Looks like Foden/Rogers up front for England.

A mixed start for England: confident in possession, Nico O'Reilly bringing the ball out from the back, but Japan are looking to win the ball high up the pitch and there's already been one mix-up between Pickford and Guehi. Good to iron these things out now, lads…

We're underway. Let's go!

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ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: England manager Thomas Tuchel speaks to the media during a press conference at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 30, 2026 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Bradley Collyer - Pool/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel (Image credit: Getty Images)

Here's your complete guide of how and where to see England vs Japan. Enjoy!

New England kit getting its debut!

Stunnin’

You have almost 10 minutes before kick-off – so spend it right.

There are five players keener than most to impress

Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer embrace on England duty

Should Cole Palmer be starting ahead of Bukayo Saka? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tuchel has some major decisions to make but not all of them are set in stone – and there remains a handful of hopefuls vying for a spot in the German's final squad.

James Roberts has summarised the five remaining players who will want to use this last opportunity to earn a place in the XI against Croatia.

Injuries aside, this is actually how we expect England to line up for their first fixture at the World Cup against Croatia this summer.

Ben White is in there for Reece James, Kobbie Mainoo is starting instead of Declan Rice, and we assume that Bukayo Saka will be back for the World Cup in place of Cole Palmer – while naturally, the big news is that Harry Kane is not starting up front – you can take the boy out of the Arsenal academy (just a joke, honest). While Friday night's draw with Uruguay saw some experimentation, this line-up has nothing of the sort. Apart from in one position…

It's interesting that Anthony Gordon is stepping in up front. Or is he? Phil Foden might be a false nine, here. It'll be intriguing to see, nonetheless.

Without further ado, your England XI for tonight is as follows…

Hello all and welcome along – it's England vs Japan in the final friendly before Thomas Tuchel names his World Cup 2026 squad.

Have your say, too: we want you to vote for YOUR ratings. Of course, we're all going to be completely aligned and agreed by the end, right?

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