Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the confirmed lineups ahead of the England vs Costa Rica game today. Kickoff: 9:00 pm GMT.
This is the Three Lions’ final warm-up game ahead of their World Cup campaign, which begins against Croatia in one week. Today, though, they face a Costa Rica side that failed to qualify for the tournament, and many will feel that England must produce a convincing performance. However, the heat and humidity are sure to play a part, but that is something the players must get used to quickly if they are to have a successful tournament.
Here is the latest team news and confirmed lineups
Read More: England Squad Confirmed for World Cup
England vs Costa Rica: Team News and Confirmed Lineups
England Team News
Head coach Thomas Tuchel welcomes back Arsenal quartet Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice. Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is also available, having joined the squad late following the Eagles’ Europa Conference League final victory.
During his pre-match press conference, Tuchel gave an update on the Arsenal players. He said: “We still have to take a little bit of care for Bukayo [Saka], who had an injury in March and carried it through to club. He made himself available at the end of the season and did so brilliantly, but he was managed in between matches; that continues a bit at the moment. We are building him up.
“Noni [Madueke], Declan [Rice], and Ebs [Eze] are 100 percent available. We just came from training, and everyone was involved, including Bukayo. We have to take the decision in the afternoon on who starts and how many minutes we give.
Tuchel is expected to name a strong team; however, he may give minutes to the four players who travelled with the 26-man squad as training players. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Fulham’s Josh King, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha will return to the UK when the main squad flies to Kansas City at the weekend ahead of the Croatia game.
Costa Rica Team News
Los Ticos will be missing 150-cap former Arsenal winger Joel Campbell, who was not selected for the squad. Hearts forward Kenneth Vargas, Warren Madrigal, and Alejandro Bran were dropped due to disciplinary reasons.
Costa Rica come into this game on the back of failing to qualify for the tournament and a 3-1 friendly defeat to Colombia last Tuesday.
England vs Costa Rica Confirmed Lineups
England Confirmed Lineup
Will appear here as soon as confirmed
Costa Rica Confirmed Lineup
Will appear here as soon as confirmed
Featured image courtesy of Imago/Depositphotos
