England face off against Croatia for the third time in the space of five months on Thursday night.
Slaven Bilic brings his side to Wembley for a Nations League encounter as the visitors attempt to try and get revenge for a humiliating 7-0 loss to Thomas Tuchel’s side back in October. England also won the previous encounter 4-2, in their World Cup opener back in June.
Tonight’s game represents England’s penultimate match of what’s been an up-and-down 2026 – and their final Wembley game until next March.
Here, we list some of the things to look out for in tonight’s clash:
Kane’s big night
Tonight will see captain and Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane become the centre of attention as he wins his 126th England cap. That will see him become the outright, all-time leading appearance maker, as he surpasses Peter Shilton.
Speaking ahead of his landmark evening, the skipper said: “It’s definitely up there as the biggest (achievement). I think it showcases consistency at the highest level.
“It’s testament to all the dedication, the time people don’t see, that keeps me fit and healthy. This is one of the biggest milestones in my career. In terms of what’s next, I don’t like to set limits – 100 goals is a milestone to reach as soon as possible.”
That latter remark certainly seems as if it is a matter of when, not if – Kane is on 91 heading into tonight’s game.
Who keeps goal?
For years, Jordan Pickford has been England’s undisputed number one and rightly so given he has barely, if ever, let his country down.
But recent months have seen a new contender try and tussle away the gloves. James Trafford’s summer move to Leeds has seen him get regular Premier League football and impressive early season performances were rewarded with two appearances in the last, extended camp as Tuchel gave both men equal playing time.
Could that policy be repeated again, versus Croatia tonight and in Spain on Sunday? Tuchel has refused to rule it out, saying: “They shared the matches last time. I’m not sure what we will do. There’s an opportunity that we maybe do this again.
“I have to speak with our goalkeeper coach. But the goalkeepers, they are a bit of a unit for themselves, and rightly so.”
New faces…
As with most camps, there’s a smattering of new names included in Tuchel’s roster and this one offers some intriguing inclusions. Jobe Bellingham is one that immediately jumped off the page when the squad was announced last week. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, brother of Jude, has been in fine form in the Bundesliga this season and his international manager believes he is in the squad on merit, rather than just because of his surname.
Josh King is another fascinating inclusion and will be looking to catch the eye after impressive showings for Fulham this term. James Hill has gone under the radar slightly, given his late call-up as cover for Ezri Konsa but his performances in helping Bournemouth string together eight consecutive wins ensures he arrives in the camp brimming with confidence.
Although not a new face as such, Ben White is back on the international scene after a self-imposed exile during the latter stages of Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
… And an old face
Luka Modric has been terrorising England for the best part of 20 years but Thursday night might well be the last encounter the diminutive maestro has with the Three Lions.
Modric, now 41, is still playing at a high level in Serie A with AC Milan and has said recently that he has no intention of calling time on his international career. But given his advancing years and the uncertainty of when these two nations will next meet, it could well be his last hurrah against a country where he dazzled during four years at Tottenham.
