England name youthful starting line-up to face Czech Republic

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham spearhead a youthful England starting line-up against the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium in a fourth-round UEFA Nations League fixture on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Manager Thomas Tuchel has introduced notable changes to the side following a 7-0 victory over Croatia, benching established wingers Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon while handing starts to teenage midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly and Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers.

Wembley Stadium Hosts Group A3 Clash

England enter the fixture sitting second in Group A3 with six points, trailing a Spain side that top the table with a perfect record of nine points. The Czech Republic prop up the group without a single point, having suffered a 2-0 defeat to England in the reverse fixture played on Czech soil back in round two. Meanwhile, former West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal returns to London with the Czech squad, stating that his team wants to trouble England at the 90,000-capacity venue and recalling the nation’s historical success at the stadium during Euro 96. It is an icon of English football, Coufal stated. Historically, we have had huge success here as Czechia. We want to trouble England, 90,000 people will come to the match. I’ve already been lucky enough to play here twice. It’s an honor. I talk to English players, for them there is nothing more than playing for England at Wembley. Coufal also noted: It’s like being back home after a long time. I was looking forward to it, I hoped that the knee would heal so that I could start or train here. I especially want to be here with the boys, that’s the most important thing. For me, it’s a return home, I know many players from the English national team. It was my small personal goal to get together for this match. Generally, I am very happy in England.

Harry Kane Leads Attack as Saka and Gordon Start on Bench

Jordan Pickford retains his place in goal behind a defensive unit featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Lewis Hall at left-back, and Jarell Quansah partnering Marc Guéhi in central defence. In midfield, Elliot Anderson and Myles Lewis-Skelly line up alongside Jude Bellingham. Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze operate in advanced roles supporting team captain Harry Kane in attack. Regular starters Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon drop to the substitutes’ bench alongside 17-year-old attacking prodigy Rio Ngumoha, who wears shirt number 14. Racing Post adds that Alex Scott withdrew from the squad on Monday morning and faces up to two months out with a quadriceps injury.