England vs Croatia UEFA Nations League preview, Digi Mart USA News (Wembley, London): England hosts Croatia at Wembley in its penultimate Group 3 match of the UEFA Nations League. Thomas Tuchel’s side needs only to avoid defeat to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
England arrives in strong form after a stunning 7-0 win over Croatia in the first leg last month in Rijeka, one of its most emphatic results in recent years. That result, together with three wins in its first four group matches, means England controls its own destiny in the competition.
Croatia arrives under considerable pressure. Slaven Bilic’s side has lost three of its last four Nations League matches, including a hard-fought defeat at Wembley, and sits third in the group with its qualification chances all but exhausted.
The team is determined to restore national pride after a 2-1 loss to Spain in the final minutes.
Tuchel has named a 25-man squad with several notable names. Jobe Bellingham receives his first senior call-up after making the step up from the Under-21 side, reportedly after his brother Jude urged that he be included.
Fulham’s Josh King has also been selected, and Tuchel praised the versatility and character of the 25-year-old.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are the most notable absences. Tuchel was blunt about Palmer’s situation, noting that the Chelsea midfielder has missed too many international call-ups and that the group that performed so well at the World Cup remains the priority.
Foden came close to returning to the squad before being named on the bench for Manchester City.
Declan Rice arrives in exceptional form for his club, leading the Premier League in assists this season and earning praise from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for becoming an increasingly dangerous presence in the final third. Trent Alexander-Arnold also retains his place after standing out during the previous international window, competing with Ben White and Jarell Quansah at right-back.
