The England national team begins preparations for the 2022 World Cup with a hard-fought friendly match against Italy’s Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Saturday. Gareth Southgate has invited Kyle Walker-Peters along with Crystal Palace’s Tyreke Mitchell and Mark Gueye, all three of whom could make their international debuts this weekend.
Gay will fight for a place in the starting line-up before the World Cup, and places in the center of defense, apparently, will be played against the background of the current struggle of the captain of Manchester United, Harry Maguire. Fraser Forster from Southampton returns to the squad, who comes after Sam Johnston withdrew from the squad and Bukayo Saka was out of action with COVID, although no replacement was called.
This is the first of two friendly matches before the World Cup draw on April 1, when Gareth Southgate’s team will host Ivory Coast at Wembley on Tuesday evening. At his press conference on Friday afternoon, the England coach spoke about the injuries, saying: “Emile Smith-Rowe did not train today, so it is unlikely he will be involved tomorrow.
“Raheem [Sterling] is fine. It was a shame to lose Bukayo [Saku], but we are back in those moments when it is again a surge [in coronavirus cases].” Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s game.
What time does the game start?
The match will start at 17:30 on Saturday, March 26.
What TV channel is the England vs Switzerland match on?
Sky Sports is currently the copyright holder of England’s friendly matches and will broadcast the match live on the main event of Sky Sports, Sky Sports Football or Sky Sports UHD.
Who’s in the squad?
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Fraser Forster
Defenders: Conor Cody, Mark Gay, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Tyreke Mitchell, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse.
Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Emile Smith-Rowe, Raheem Sterling, Ollie Watkins
