Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the confirmed lineups ahead of the England vs New Zealand friendly game today. Kickoff: 9:00 pm GMT.
The Three Lions take on the lowest-ranked country at this year’s World Cup, New Zealand, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This is England’s first of two warm-up games ahead of the tournament, while the All Whites will be looking for improvement following their first game, a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Haiti.
Here is the latest team news and confirmed lineups for England vs New Zealand
Read More: England World Cup Squad Announced
England vs New Zealand: Team News and Confirmed Lineups
England Team News
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has a fully fit squad to select from. However, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke will not feature after being given extra time off due to their recent appearance for Arsenal in the Champions League Final.
Tuchel has also hinted that he may field two different teams in this game to give everyone a chance and the same amount of minutes. He said: “The plan is to play 45 minutes with two complete teams, to expose everyone to the same amount of minutes.
“Then we can continue for the next three days with the same load of training. That is the plan, and at the moment we are sticking to it.”
New Zealand Team News
Ryan Thomas will miss the game, and Joe Bell is a doubt. Both have leg injuries.
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley, an Englishman who played for Watford, Wolves, and Walsall, says his team is determined to do something special at this World Cup. He said: “The challenge for us is to go on, to keep progressing. It’s not going to be easy, but we want to get into those exciting knockout games and see where that leads us.
“I’ve been really lucky. I’ve been to six World Cups already, two Olympics, and a Confederations Cup, and football’s been very generous to me after my playing career. I’m super grateful for that.
“Now all of our players are determined to go to the World Cup, create history, and do something really special.”
England Confirmed Lineup
Will appear here as soon as confirmed
New Zealand Confirmed Lineup
Will appear here as soon as confirmed
Featured image courtesy of Imago/Depositphotos
