Neighbours England and Wales will renew hosilities when they meet for an international friendly at the Wembley Stadium on Thursday evening.
England will resume their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign next week, when they visit Latvia on Matchday 6. If the Three Lions beat Latvia and Albania avoid a defeat to Serbia, Thomas Tuchel’s side would secure their place in next year’s showpiece event.
Having scored 10 points from five matches, Wales also have a shot at qualifying for the World Cup next year. North Macedonia are currently leading their Group J with 11 points. Belgium are second on 10 points, but they have a game in hand.
England vs Wales International Friendly Preview and Team News
Preview
Since taking the England job, former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has made incremental changes to turn this team into a well-drilled machine. His England are more clinical than flamboyant, are always scanning for opportunites, and have learned to dig deep under pressure.
Owing to their discipline, England have won all five of their World Cup 2026 qualifiers, beating Albania, Latvia, Andorra twice, and Serbia.
Our #ThreeLions face Wales in an @alzheimerssoc International tomorrow!🫡 pic.twitter.com/DVRPSnv7ZY
— England (@England) October 8, 2025
They scored 13 goals in five matches without letting in a single one. After England failed to qualify for the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile, the senior team’s form has brought much needed respite.
Unlike England, Wales have not enjoyed an unbeaten streak in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, they are very much in the hunt for a place in next year’s event in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Craig Bellamy on England v Wales ahead of Wembley friendly.
🗣️ “England have a ridiculous squad. They have a transfer market value of 1.4billion, ours is £170million. If you were a boxing promoter you wouldn’t put us together. It wouldn’t be allowed.” 🏴 🏴 pic.twitter.com/MYny4PV0Na
— Phil Blanche 🏴 (@philblanche) October 6, 2025
In the qualifiers, they have dispatched Kazakhstan twice and Liechtenstein, drawn 1-1 with North Macedonia, and suffered their only defeat of the campaign to Belgium. Craig Bellamy’s side put up quite a fight, but the Belgians came out on top, securing a narrow 4-3 victory.
In their last World Cup qualifier, Wales claimed a 1-0 victory away in Kazakhstan.
Team News
Thomas Tuchel did not call up Jack Grealish despite his explosive run of form for Everton. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Manchester City’s Phil Foden will also sit the next two games out.
Chelsea star Reece James, on the other hand, has withdrawn from the squad after picking up an injury in the victory over Liverpool.
Wales’ squad, meanwhile, had most of the usual suspects, including Aaron Ramsey. The former Arsenal man was in line to return to international action after a 13-month absence, but he has had to pull out due to injury. Rubin Colwill has come in as his replacement.
England vs Wales Match Details
⚽Teams: England vs Wales
🗓️Date: Thursday, October 09, 2025
🏆 Competition: International Friendlies
🟥Ref: Urs Schnyder
⌚KO: 7:45 PM BST
📺Where to Watch: ITV1, S4C, STV, BBC iPlayer, S4C Online, ITVX, STV Player
🏟️Stadium: Wembley Stadium
England vs Wales Stats and Head-to-Head
- England and Wales have met 104 times in all competitions – England 69 wins, Wales 14 wins, 21 draws
- England have beaten Wales in their last 7 meetings with an aggregate score of 14-1
- After the World War II, Wales have only registered one win in their 24 away matches against England (1-0, May 1977)
- England lost their last international friendly at Wembley Stadium – 3-1 to Senegal in June 2025
- England have won their last 8 competitive games, marking their best run since October 2015
- Thomas Tuchel’s England have scored in their last 16 matches across competitions, marking their joint-best run this century
- England captain Harry Kane is the most in-form goalscorer in Europe, scoring 17 goals this season
- Kane is England’s top scorer in World Cup qualifiers with 4 goals
- Wales have lost 2 of their last 3 matches, after losing just 1 of previous 19
- Wales have failed to win their last 11 away friendlies, registering 1 draw and 10 defeats
- The Dragons could not score in their last 10 away friendlies
Head-to-Head
| Competition | England Wins | Wales Win | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Home Championship | 53 | 12 | 20 |
| FIFA World Cup | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| UEFA European Championship | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| International Friendly | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Centenary Match | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 69 | 14 | 21 |
England vs Wales Betting Odds
Wales have an abysmal record against England in the post World War II era, winning just one of 24 games. They have also been well below their best in recent matches, while England have been absolutely flying under Thomas Tuchel.
Harry Kane’s start to the season has been absurd 🎯 pic.twitter.com/toj1ddbQrl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 6, 2025
All things considered, it is no suprise that UK bookmakers are siding with England for Thursday’s clash at Wembley Stadium. England are valued at 2/7 while Wales are at a lucrative 12/1. The oddsmakers are also backing Tuchel’s side to keep a clean sheet.
Coming to goalscorers, Harry Kane is the absolute favourite to score at 4/5.
Match Result
- England – 2/7
- Draw – 5/1
- Wales – 12/1
Both Teams to Score
- Yes – 7/5
- No – 4/6
Anytime Goalscorer
- Harry Kane – 4/5
- Ollie Watkins – 1/1
- Marcus Rashford – 6/4
England vs Wales Prediction and Best Bet
Wales have a crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium next week. So, it will not be surprising if Craig Bellamy fields a weakened XI on Thursday. Thomas Tuchel is also expected to rotate his squad, but even a weakened England would be too much to handle for the visitors.
We are backin England to get a comfortable win, with Harry Kane, who has been in a league of his own, getting on the scoresheet.
Our Prediction: England 3-1 Wales
Best Bet: Harry Kane to Score @ 4/5
