England eye Uruguay and Japan tests as part of World Cup preparations

England want to face South American and Asian opposition as part of their World Cup preparations, and have discussed hosting friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are closing in on qualification for the finals tournament next summer and plans are being put in place for warmup games. Talks over potential opponents for the March international break have taken place, although it is understood the Football Association is yet to make a final decision. The FA is waiting for England to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup before finalising bookings and may also look at how the draw for the tournament plays out in December.

However, it is understood there is a big possibility of Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, both of whom have qualified for the World Cup. England have mostly faced European opposition since Tuchel took charge at the start of this year and there is a need to test themselves against different styles before the World Cup. They faced African opposition when defeated by Senegal in a friendly in June.

England last played a South American team when they lost a home friendly against Brazil in March 2024. They have not faced a side from the Asian Football Confederation since beating Iran at the 2022 World Cup.

Another consideration for the FA during the buildup to the World Cup will be making sure England are ready for potentially scorching conditions in Canada, Mexico and the US. The likelihood is that the squad will head to Miami in early June for a pre-tournament training camp and to play two friendlies in an attempt to adapt to the heat. Tuchel travelled to the US to assess conditions at the Club World Cup last summer and was left under no illusions about the challenges posed by the weather.

England play Latvia in a qualifier in Riga on Tuesday after a friendly against Wales at Wembley on Thursday. An England victory in Latvia would secure a World Cup place with two games to spare, if Serbia fail to win at home against Albania on Saturday.

England’s John Stones has said he considered retiring while struggling with foot and hamstring injuries last season that restricted him to 24 appearances – none after mid-February. “Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping,” the Manchester City defender told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I didn’t want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in … my emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it.”

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