England will face Uruguay and Japan in pre-World Cup friendlies at Wembley Stadium in March 2026. These matches will serve as crucial preparation for the Three Lions ahead of the FIFA World Cup in North America.

The Football Association (FA) officially announced the two fixtures, confirming that England will host Uruguay on Friday, March 27, and Japan on Tuesday, March 31. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. local time. The confirmation of these friendlies was delayed until after last Friday's World Cup draw to ensure England would not face any of their group-stage opponents in the lead-up to the major tournament.

These games will be the final opportunity for players to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel before he selects his 26-man squad for the World Cup in May. Following these Wembley fixtures, England are expected to play two additional friendlies in the United States prior to the tournament. Details regarding the opposition and specific locations for these U.S.-based matches are yet to be finalized.

Tuchel emphasized the importance of these matches, stating, "We are really pleased to have these two fixtures confirmed as our World Cup year takes shape". He added, "We wanted to play two teams ranked in the top 20 in the world, but also to test ourselves against opponents from outside of Europe". Currently, Uruguay is ranked 16th and Japan is ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings, meeting Tuchel's criteria for strong opposition.

England had a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign, securing maximum points from their eight matches and setting a record as the first European team to win every qualifier without conceding a single goal in a campaign lasting at least six matches. Tuchel's tactical approach has revitalized the team, making these upcoming friendlies vital for fine-tuning strategies and player selection.

England is placed in Group L at the World Cup, alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Tuchel has stressed the importance of respecting every opponent in their group, acknowledging the challenges that each team presents.

The friendlies against Uruguay and Japan are viewed as an opportunity to test the team against diverse styles of play. Uruguay's intensity and Japan's speed and discipline will provide valuable challenges for England's squad. These matches are not only about securing victories but also about identifying and addressing any weaknesses before the World Cup begins.