Missing stars and new faces
England have arrived in Tampa with a 27-man squad, including uncapped training group members Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha, Josh King and Ethan Nwaneri along with training goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Alan Smith6 June 2026 19:18
Tuchel on Florida surface
“I just saw it now,” the England boss said on Friday night. “It will not affect my team selection because what I have heard until now is that it should be OK and we want it, of course, to be OK.
“I saw just a photo from your colleague that made me a little bit worried and concerned, but let’s decide when we are there.
“If there are any issues, we can always react to it. The plan is tomorrow to play 45, 45 minutes with two complete teams, to expose everyone to the same amount of minutes.
“Then we can continue the next three days with the same load of training. That is the plan, and at the moment we stick to the plan.”
Alan Smith6 June 2026 19:12
Special report – Inside the world of Gianni Infantino: ‘The ass-kissing of Trump got us nowhere’
The Fifa president looks excited. The hand is often extended from the heart, in that classic gesture of the evangelising Blair-like statesman. Trump smiles on, two leaders together. Those who have been close to such meetings say it is a mix of “fawning and adoration” from Infantino, which is also why there is increasing disquiet among numerous senior Fifa figures. They don’t like how this has been going.
The relationship is one of a few areas where even someone as brazen as Infantino might now be caught in a bind.
Miguel Delaney6 June 2026 19:05
Are big name coaches right for a World Cup?
Alan Smith6 June 2026 18:59
Thomas Tuchel concerned over patchwork pitch for England’s World Cup warm-up
Mike Jones6 June 2026 18:48
Latest odds
Betting sites have England as the big favourites to win this World Cup warm-up match with preparations for the tournament underway ahead of the first match on June 11.
New Zealand to win – 33/1
The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. Please read the terms.
Mike Jones6 June 2026 18:42
England vs New Zealand predicted line-ups
England XI: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Mainoo; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
New Zealand XI: Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Bindon, Cacace; Stamenic, Rufer; Just, McCowatt, Randall; Wood.
Mike Jones6 June 2026 18:36
New Zealand’s early team news
New Zealand may welcome back Joe Bell who missed their previous outing with a leg injury but Ryan Thomas is set to remain absent.
Tim Payne, the World Cup’s so-called “least known player” who has since gone mega-viral, is set to start.
Mike Jones6 June 2026 18:30
England’s early team news
Thomas Tuchel’s squad is yet to be at full strength with Arsenal quartet Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke being given more time to recuperate after the Champions League final.
Kobbie Mainoo could start in Rice’s absence while Morgan Rogers may operate on the right, allowing him to share the pitch with Jude Bellingham ahead of their battle for the central role.
Mike Jones6 June 2026 18:24
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on ITV1 with coverage starting at 8.15pm. It can also be streamed on ITVX.
Mike Jones6 June 2026 18:12




