England boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Harry Kane will be fit for Friday’s World Cup clash with the United States. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Southgate said that his skipper is “good” and it would be a “brave decision” to leave him out of the starting line-up.
The Three Lions go into the group B clash full of confidence after their 6-2 win over Iran, and will qualify for the World Cup round of 16 with another victory. With the knockouts in their sights, England will be favourites to earn another three points. However, Southgate has warned his players must show “huge respect” for their opponents at the Al Bayt Stadium.
“If we win we qualify and the first objective is to qualify from the group,” he said. “We have three matches to do so and if it takes all three we have to be ready for that. We will play a highly-motivated team and have huge respect for the opponents. We know their players and the quality and athleticism they have so we have to be at our best – I don’t think we will be underestimating USA.”
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After a 1-1 draw with Wales in their first game, US boss Gregg Berhalter knows his team “have their work cut out for them” to earn a result against England, said Kyle Bonn on Sporting News. While defeat would “certainly not see them out of the tournament”, it would leave them with “lots of work still to be done”.
Berhalter has confidence going into the game and believes that on their “best day” his team “can beat anyone in the world, anyone”. While it is a “great honour” to play in the World Cup, “we don’t want to just be participants – we want to perform”, he added.
Match facts
Who: England vs. USA
What: Fifa World Cup group B matchday two
When: Friday 25 November 2022
Where: Al Bayt Stadium
Kick-off time: 7pm (all times GMT)
How to watch on TV in the UK
Friday’s match between England and the USA will be shown live in the UK on ITV and ITVX. Coverage begins at 6.05pm and the match kicks off at 7pm. Mark Pougatch will host and he is joined in the studio by Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright.
Harry Kane was substituted in the 76th minute of England’s win against Iran
(Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Team news
Much of the pre-match build-up has been about Harry Kane’s ankle injury sustained in the 6-2 win over Iran. The England captain had a scan on his right ankle, but is ready to face the USA.
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Southgate is “expected to stick with a winning team” with the World Cup knockout rounds within reach, said Rob Dorsett on Sky Sports. Harry Maguire has also recovered from illness and is set to line up in defence alongside John Stones, Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw.
Defender Kyle Walker was not fit enough to play the opener due to a groin problem, but “is back in contention”, said Jack Rathborn in the Independent. Doubts remain over James Maddison, who has missed training due to a knee injury.
USA duo Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah came off against Wales, but should be fit enough to start against England. Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna will be hoping to force his way into the attack after “watching on as an unused substitute last time out”, said Oliver Thomas on SportsMole.
There are a host Premier League-based players in the USA ranks, including Brendan Aaronson and Tyler Adams of Leeds and Christian Pulisic of Chelsea.
England are “flying” after their rout of Iran and the United States, while “lively” against Wales, crumbled in the second half, said Jack Rathborn in the Independent. Southgate’s side will “have too much here” and edge the match to move to six points. Prediction: England 2 USA 1.
Southgate and Co head into Friday’s fixture in “buoyant mood” and as “firm favourites to claim maximum points”, said Oliver Thomas on SportsMole. There have already been “a couple shock results” at this World Cup, but the Three Lions will be “confident of success” and “should have few problems in securing a routine victory over their American counterparts”. Prediction: England 3 USA 0.
The Americans will prove “a tougher test” than Iran and Southgate will make sure England “do not get ahead of themselves” after scoring six for just the second ever time at a World Cup, said Alex Young in the London Evening Standard. Iran proved England “can be got at”, and USA certainly did as much against Wales. But the Three Lions’ “extra quality should shine through”. Prediction: England 3 USA 1.
Judging by previous USA results, “it’s hard to imagine they will find a way to spring an upset in this match”, said Kyle Bonn on Sporting News. “While they surely won’t end up battered like Iran, England will still find a way to breach the US backline.” Prediction: England 2 USA 0.
After a “mediocre performance” from the USA against Wales, and a “barnstorming performance” for England against Iran, “we can’t see this one ending in anything other than victory” for the Three Lions, said The Telegraph. Prediction: England 3 USA 0.
Expect another England win, said Tom Carnduff on Sporting Life. But it may not be “anywhere near as straightforward” as what we witnessed on Monday. Prediction: England 2 USA 1.
The bookies make England the “overwhelming betting favourites” to defeat the USA, said Tom Dodd on Oddschecker. England come into the game off the back of hammering Iran and the sportsbooks “don’t give the USA much chance of pulling off the upset”.
The stadium
The 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium in the city of Al Khor will host nine World Cup matches, including one quarter-final and a semi-final. Its design is inspired by the tents historically used in the Gulf region.
Squads
England
Head coach: Gareth Southgate
Key player: Harry Kane
One to watch: Bukayo Saka
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester City)
USA
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
Key player: Christian Pulisic
One to watch: Sergino Dest
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton), Sean Johnson (New York City), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergino Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyspor)
Mike Starling is the former digital features editor at The Week. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.
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