The English team takes the field this Wednesday (10) against Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium, in Orlando, in the United States. The international friendly clash marks the last commitment for Thomas Tuchel’s team before their debut in the 2026 World Cup. Kick-off is scheduled for 5pm (Brasília time).
The German coach should take advantage of the match to define the team he intends to use in the World Cup. With the recent arrival of Arsenal players, such as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and others, Tuchel has a more complete group at his disposal to give rhythm to the game for the main names. England arrives in good form in the qualifiers and seeks to maintain the defensive solidity that has been a trademark.
Probable line-ups recently confirmed
England(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Reece James, Stones, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson (or Rice), Declan Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford (or Gordon); Harry Kane. Coach: Thomas Tuchel.
Costa Rica: Sequeira; Quirós, Mitchell, Faerron, Araya; Salazar, Flores; Mora, Soto, Alcócer; Ugalde. The Central American team uses a more compact system and should rely on counterattacks.
Formations reflect the latest training sessions and updated squads. In England, the return of names like Rice and Saka after club commitments should strengthen the midfield and attack.
Where to watch live
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+. ge.globo offers real-time bidding and statistics.
History and last games
England and Costa Rica have faced each other a few times. In 2018, the English won 2-0 in a friendly. The last meeting in the World Cup was a goalless draw in 2014.
England’s last 5 games(recent results): consistent victories in European qualifiers, with highlights being 2-0 victories over Serbia and Albania, as well as a draw with Uruguay. The team shows a balance between solid defense and efficiency in attack.
Costa Rica’s last 5 games: mix of draws and defeats in preparatory matches, with difficulty breaking through organized defenses. The team seeks to improve its offensive performance against European teams.
What changes for the World Cup
The friendly serves as a final laboratory for Tuchel. The coach needs to decide the defense pairing, the balance in the middle and attacking options alongside Kane. A convincing victory would boost the confidence of the group, who debut against Croatia in the World Cup. For Costa Rica, the duel is an opportunity to measure strength against one of the favorites for the title.
Orlando weather forecast: temperatures around 27°C to 32°C, with the possibility of temporary rain and isolated showers typical of the afternoon in Florida. The pitch must be in good condition, but the weather factor can influence the pace of the game.
Guesses: England are clear favorites to win, probably 2-0 or 3-1, exploiting the speed of the wingers and the presence of Kane.
Curiosities: The match is part of the Florida Series, a series of preparatory games in the USA. Orlando welcomes the English team in a pre-World Cup atmosphere, with local and Brazilian fans present.
Arbitration: There are no official details confirmed about the trio so far, but the game follows FIFA friendly rules.
Tickets: Available on official platforms, with varying prices for the stadium in Orlando.
