JAKARTA - The England National Team (National Team) is rumored to hold a closed friendly match in Kansas City on Thursday, June 18, 2026, local time or Friday, June 19, 2026 WIB, in the middle of the 2026 World Cup.
Launching ESPN, it was confirmed by Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel. However, until now there is no definite opponent. However, talks are underway with Major League Soccer (MLS) team Sporting Kansas City.
England followed the same plan last week, facing Miami FC at their home, West Palm Beach, a day after beating Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando.
The Three Lions have six days between their opening Group L match against Croatia on Thursday, June 18, 2026, early morning WIB, and their second match against Ghana in Boston on June 24, 2026, early morning WIB.
"It's true that we are trying to play internal matches after the match against Croatia. It's just to make use of the time."
"We have a lot of days between games. We can give a load to the players who haven't played much tomorrow, the actual load of the game, and not just from training."
"We did this after the game against Costa Rica. I think we will do it again the day after the game against Croatia," said Tuchel.
Meanwhile, England were forced to make a sudden change to their squad after Tino Livramento suffered a calf injury during training on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah was named as his replacement, although he will not play against Croatia in Dallas.
"Tino is of course very disappointed and sad. We all are too. It was a bit of a shock in training. When he stopped training, he immediately felt that this could be an injury that would keep him out of the tournament and unfortunately he was right."
"After the examination, we received information that the injury would take about four or five weeks, which unfortunately is too long to continue to rebuild and integrate him back into the squad. So, we decided to send him home."
"He is of course disappointed, as are we. He is a key player, in good shape and available for both teams as a wingback."
"We are calling up Trevoh Chalobah because that way we can give space for Jarell Quansah as a full-back on both sides and Djed Spence can play on both sides as a full-back."
"So, Trevoh came as an alternative to the center back and gave us full coverage at the back line," Tuchel said explaining his decision to choose Chalobah.
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