England will use friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan in March 2026 as crucial preparation ahead of naming their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Three Lions will host Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on Friday, March 27, followed by a clash with Japan on Tuesday, March 31. These fixtures represent the final opportunity for head coach Thomas Tuchel to assess his players before finalizing his World Cup roster at the end of May.

“We are really pleased to have these two fixtures confirmed as our World Cup year takes shape,” Tuchel said. “We wanted to play two teams ranked in the top 20 in the world, but also to test ourselves against opponents from outside of Europe.”

Currently, Uruguay holds the 16th position in the FIFA rankings, while Japan is ranked 18th. These matches are expected to provide a stern test for the English team.

Ghana, drawn in Group L alongside England, will also be in action during the tournament. The Black Stars are scheduled to face Panama before their highly anticipated match against England on June 23, 2026. Ghana will then play Croatia on June 27, while England takes on Panama.

England’s group stage begins on June 17 against Croatia. The matches against Uruguay and Japan are therefore vital for Tuchel to fine-tune his squad and strategy before facing the Black Stars and the other teams in Group L.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE