England are potentially 90 minutes away from booking their spot at next summer’s World Cup and know that a victory over Latvia in tonight’s match will guarantee them a place at the tournament.
The Three Lions sit top of their European group with a maximum of 15 points from their five matches and are yet to concede a goal during this qualifying campaign. It’s been an impressive start to Thomas Tuchel’s tenure with the German head coach winning six of his seven matches so far.
Such is the state of the group that England would secure top spot if they collect another three points and manage to qualify for the World Cup with two games remaining. Latvia, meanwhile, must win both of their next two matches to maintain the chance of a playoff place but that is highly unlikely.
Tuchel confirmed that England captain, Harry Kane, is fit for tonight’s clash and with Ollie Watkins withdrawing from the squad due to injury Kane looks set to feature from the start.
Follow all the team news and updates with our live blog below:
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Latvia vs England live
- Latvia host England in a World Cup Qualifier with kick off at 7.45pm | Live on ITV1
- England will qualify for the World Cup if they win tonight
- Harry Kane is fit again and expected to start
First time in Riga
18:32
,
Mike Jones
Tuchel’s side should not be too troubled against a side currently ranked 137th in the world, even if they are stepping into the unknown with a first ever visit to Riga.
The return fixture in March, which England won 3-0 in Tuchel’s second match in charge, is the only previous meeting between the two sides.
Latvia can no longer qualify for the World Cup, currently sitting fourth in the group with five points.
They drew 2-2 with Andorra on Friday, having also beaten the minnows in their reverse fixture while drawing with Albania.
The audition continues
18:26
,
Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel raised eyebrows by leaving out Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish this month in order to reward the players who performed so well in September’s camp.
Some of them, such as Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon, further strengthened their position in the side against Wales and should get another opportunity to shine in Latvia.
Tuchel named a strong squad against Wales, knowing there was a long enough turnaround before the trip to Latvia, and will again go strong tonight.
How many European teams will qualify for the World Cup?
18:20
,
Mike Jones
A total of 16 European teams will qualify for the expanded tournament next year. The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 nations and will be held across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The 12 qualifying group winners will automatically secure places at the tournament, with the remaining four spots being won through a play-off competition featuring the 12 second-place teams.
As of yet, no European nation has secured qualification, but England can be the first team to do so.
How can England qualify for the World Cup tonight?
18:14
,
Mike Jones
England currently sit at the top of Group K with 15 points, having won all five of their qualifying matches so far. That is a perfect record, bettered only by Norway in Group I, who have won all six of their games. Albania sit second in the table with 11 points, but have played one game more than the Three Lions, while Serbia, currently third, are eight points behind them with 7.
Victory over Latvia this evening would give England another three points and take them to 18, with two matches left to play. That would mean Albania would be unable to catch up – as the maximum number of points they can win is 17 – and England would secure their place at the top of the group. They would then qualify for the World Cup as group winners.
Pickford on staying focused during quiet spells
18:08
,
Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford made two crucial saves against Wales after long periods of the game when he was not involved in play.
“Every goalkeeper is different,” he explained.
“I’m quite vocal and communicate with my team. I feel like that keeps me in the game.
“Even if the ball is at the other end of the pitch, I’ll be moving about, keeping in the right line and just being switched on constantly.
“It’s something you get used to and something I’ve improved on over the years, just being in the right position at the right time and keeping communicating with the back four in front of me.
“That keeps me in sync with the game and when called upon, I should be there and ready to make an action.”
Pickford on breaking Banks' record
18:02
,
Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford broke a record held by Gordon Banks when he kept an eighth clean sheet in a row in the 3-0 win over Wales.
Of the achievement England’s No.1 said: “I think it’s good when you break them but I think everyone knows what I’m like – a team player and I’ll take credit sometimes but I think it’s a collective sport. We win together, we defend and we attack together.
“Like Harry [Kane] says, the defence starts from up top really. It’s all eleven of us putting a shift in and when I’m called upon, I’ll make the saves. It’s great to have that milestone and hopefully break it again and get nine.”
Thomas Tuchel warns Marcus Rashford not to be ‘disappointed’ at the end of his career
17:56
,
Miguel Delaney
Thomas Tuchel has warned Marcus Rashford that “he can be one of the best in the world” but that he still has to take “the right decisions” or “he will be disappointed in 10 years”.
The England manager even admitted that he recalled the 27-year-old for his first squad in March because he felt “it would help him if he felt my support”.
Tuchel, meanwhile, left the door open for the dropped Jude Bellingham by saying he would likely be in his leadership group if recalled.
Pickford on impact of Anderson and Rogers
17:50
,
Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford says Elliot and Anderson and Morgan Rogers have been ‘terrific’ since coming into the England fold.
“Elliot has been terrific and Morgan as well. I think Elliot in the last two games, just getting on the ball, half-turn, but the defensive side of it as well which not many people will see,” Pickford explained.
“For the back four with him in front of you, he’s always getting back and screening the centre forward like we did against Kieffer Moore the other – a big target – and he’s always there for second balls and breaks up the play well.
“Morgan, as well, you’ve seen it in the Serbia game and getting his first goal against Wales the other night is massive moment for him and hopefully see many more.
“Us as a group, it’s a great group to be around because you get welcomed straight away and you feel at home and not out of place and you let the football do the talking because we’ve got that good environment.”
Pickford on previous Latvia result
17:44
,
Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford sat down with the media ahead of tonight’s match and was asked about England’s previous win over Latvia.
He said: “It was a good game. Reece [James] came up with a great free kick and apart from that, we had a lot of the ball but we still had to be wary of the threat from Latvia.
“It was tight and hopefully for us, England will get on the front foot and get right after them.”
England will respect Latvia says Tuchel
17:38
,
Mike Jones
Despite winning the reverse fixture 3-0, England will respect Latvia tonight and know they will be tough opponents.
“The focus is on building a strong team, starting a strong team, starting a team that is used to playing with each other, to not give any wrong signals because it’s a given to respect your opponent,” said the England boss.
“We need a strong team and a strong performance to win an away game in a World Cup qualifier.”
How England can qualify for the World Cup tonight
17:32
,
Mike Jones
England can become the first European nation to qualify for the World Cup 2026 when they take on Latvia tonight. The Three Lions have undergone an impeccable campaign so far, winning all five of their qualifying games, and a sixth win would mean they secure top spot in Group K.
Since Thomas Tuchel took over as England manager at the start of 2025, England have won six of their seven matches under the German, with their only blip being a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in a friendly back in June.
Who will start for England?
17:26
,
Mike Jones
“I have not decided yet but everyone – all of the players – deserves [it],” replied Tuchel when asked who will be in tonight’s starting XI.
“We had enough time to recover after the match against Wales, so we had two full training sessions.
“The spirit and the momentum is clearly there. The players are fully focused. They trained with an awareness, they trained with joy, they trained with a lot of quality – you can sense it.”
England's shift in performance level
17:20
,
Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel says his team have made good strides in terms of their performances and that they are heading in the right direction.
“I saw it even against Andorra at home even if we couldn’t prove it in terms of the result and maybe people outside expected more than just the 2-0 and underestimated the defence performance from Andorra a little bit,” he revealed.
“I saw it even in this game – the commitment especially in the defensive work, the commitment in the high press.
“There was a significant shift in our attitude, in the way we played. We had, of course, two very good two results, good performances lately against Serbia and against Wales.
“We want to take the next step. I feel this, I feel that we’re building something and going in the right direction.”
Rice and Anderson have 'strong relationship'
17:14
,
Mike Jones
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson have built up a ‘strong relationship’ in the middle of England’s midfield with many viewing the pair as the starters for the World Cup.
On Anderson’s performances in an England shirt, Rice said: “He has taken it in his stride and he is playing exactly how he does for his club.
“We have built up a really strong relationship in midfield. We have a close relationship there. We are playing closer together, he is letting me go forward a little bit more. We are building a nice little partnership.
“Obviously the World Cup is in the summer, still a long way to go, but the more we can play, keep building momentum, it will be really important.”
Anderson motivated by strong England start
17:08
,
Mike Jones
Elliot Anderson has made a fine start to his England career with three strong outings for the national team.
The aim is to make it into England’s World Cup squad but the midfielder wants to keep pushing in the face of tough competition.
“I have got to keep going,” he said. “It is only three games, so I have got to do a lot more than that.
“I am just focusing on what I can bring to the team and (will be) just trying to help the team out really.
“The team spirit has been very important. It’s a top team and top lads, as well.
“They have really helped me and I have felt at home ever since the first day I came in. It helps a lot to bring the good out in players.”
Elliot Anderson vows to ‘keep going’ and be a part of the World Cup with England
17:02
,
Mike Jones
Elliot Anderson has rubbished the suggestion he has nailed down his place in England’s midfield for next summer’s World Cup.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder has enjoyed a stellar start to his senior international career, having been in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI for the last three games.
The latest of those came in Thursday’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales, where he put in another accomplished display on his Wembley bow.
England are heading in the right direction
16:56
,
Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel believes his England team is making progress and is heading in the right direction.
Here’s what he had to say ahead of tonight’s clash with Latvia:
Step by step pic.twitter.com/DjcPNOvHCe
— England (@England) October 14, 2025
Watkins leaves England camp
16:49
,
Mike Jones
Ollie Watkins collided with the post in the first half of England’s win over Wales and was subbed off at the break.
He won’t feature tonight having returned to Aston Villa.
“Ollie left camp unfortunately,” explained Tuchel.
“It was too painful and he could not train with us, so he’s in treatment with his club and tries to get ready for the weekend.
“That’s basically it. Everyone else is with us and available.”
Tuchel on Kane's fitness
16:42
,
Mike Jones
Harry Kane missed the Wales match with an ankle issue but will he feature tonight?
“Very easy with Harry – he can play, he’s fit,” confirmed Thomas Tuchel.
“We did the right thing. He’s top in training and ready to go. I don’t see why he should not be able to play 90 minutes.
“The pause was just a short pause for him. He played all matches before for Bayern Munich, so I don’t see any obstacles there.”
Thomas Tuchel’s ‘silent Wembley’ criticism brings unwanted distraction after England’s progress
16:35
,
Jack Rathborn
Several paper airplanes took a sharp flight down towards the dugouts at Wembley Stadium as England drifted a little during the second half of their 3-0 thrashing of Wales.
It was perhaps at this moment, with some fans distracted in a game long since settled, that Thomas Tuchel became irritated by a lack of energy from supporters.
The German had emphasised how it was “silent” despite their breathtaking display. He had seen Morgan Rogers dazzle, Ollie Watkins strike in relief of the injured Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka deliver a rasping strike into the top corner of the net to turn cheers into gasps of admiration.
16:28
,
Mike Jones
Thomas Tuchel says that he is convinced England captain Harry Kane will be fit to feature tonight after the striker missed the Wales friendly due to an ankle injury.
Jarell Quansah has withdrawn from the squad with an unspecified injury meaning there will likely be no changes to the back line. Ollie Watkins, meanwhile, has pulled out of the game due to an injury picked up when he collided with the post during the win over Wales. The Aston Villa striker has returned to the Premier League side and misses the trip to Riga.
Predicted England XI: England XI: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi Spence; Rice, Anderson, Rogers; Saka, Kane, Gordon
Latvia early team news
16:21
,
Mike Jones
Latvia’s squad is fit and firing following their 2-2 draw with Andorra yet that means Roberts Uldrikis and Kristers Tobers are still missing due to injury.
Predicted Latvia XI: Zviedris; Savalnieks, Jurkovskis, Cernmordijs, Balodis, Ciganiks; Varslavans, Saveljevs, Zelenkovs; Gutkovskis, Sits
How can I watch it?
16:14
,
Mike Jones
Viewers in the UK will be available to watch the game live on ITV1, with coverage of the match on ITV due to begin at 7pm BST.
Fans can also stream the game on ITVX.
When is Latvia vs England?
16:07
,
Mike Jones
England’s World Cup qualifier with Latvia kicks off at 7:45pm BST on Tuesday 14 October at Daugava Stadium in Riga.
Latvia vs England
16:00
,
Mike Jones
England are back in action this evening as they take on Latvia in a World Cup 2026 qualifier that could see them book their spot at the tournament next summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have won all five of their qualifying fixtures so far and another victory tonight would be enough for them to secure first place in Group K.
The Three Lions come into the match on the back of a 3-0 victory over Wales last Thursday and they are building consistency and momentum under the German boss.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his return to the international fold as a second half substitute and will hope to push for a starting place tonight while Harry Kane sat out the game through injury but is hopeful of being fit in time for kick off today.
Good afternoon!
15:22
,
Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s World Cup qualifying action.
Latvia host England in Group K in what looks set to be a fine encounter for the Three Lions.
They can secure their spot at the World Cup with a win and still have two matches remaining to allow Thomas Tuchel to test out new players and formations.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the evening. Stick with us as we build up to kick off at 7.45pm.
