Ladbrokes predicts England's XI for their friendly against Uruguay
John Stones and Harry Maguire to start together in defence for the first time in three years
Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton to play in midfield, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin making first England appearance in nearly five years
England's lineup against Uruguay on Friday could have a new-look feel to it with a host of fringe players set to be given a rare chance to boost their hopes of making the squad for this summer's World Cup.
The likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are among 11 players who will not join up with the Three Lions until after Friday's encounter, offering the chance for some new and returning stars among Thomas Tuchel's surprise 35-player squad to stake their claim for a seat on the plane to North America.
Check out our predicted lineup for Friday's friendly at Wembley, which includes a centre-back pairing who have not started together for nearly three years, a striker who hasn't been seen in a Three Lions shirt since 2021 and an exciting young midfield partnership.
There is plenty of debate in other areas of the pitch with this team but we have stuck with undisputed No1 Jordan Pickford between the sticks for this game for what will be his 82nd cap.
That Pickford was not included in the list of established players who will join up with the squad late indicates Tuchel wants his main goalkeeper for this game, which should see him get the nod ahead of uncapped James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale and surprise inclusion Jason Steele.
RB: Tino Livramento
Reece James' injury has opened up a chance for Tino Livramento to shine at right-back as he looks to make sure of his place in the squad this summer.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold remaining out of the picture, the Newcastle defender looks to be the man who will step in on the right side of defence should James have any injury issues at the World Cup and a good showing on Friday would further convince Tuchel of his credentials.
CB: John Stones
John Stones has barely played for Manchester City this season, so Tuchel may use this game to ensure he can still perform well in an England side, as he has done so often in the past.
When fully fit, Stones probably remains England's best and most experienced centre-back and will hope to give his manager a selection headache at the back, with the rested Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi now emerging as a promising partnership.
CB: Harry Maguire
Another old hand is back in the squad in the form of Harry Maguire, and we think he will start alongside Stones for England for the first time since October 2023.
The centre-back has been a key pillar of Manchester United's revival under Michael Carrick and with bags of experience at major tournaments, surely has a real chance of making the final World Cup squad.
LB: Lewis Hall
Lewis Hall has enjoyed an impressive emergence in recent years but is still slightly lacking in international experience with only two England caps thus far.
The 21-year-old feels like the best option on the left side of defence, other than perhaps Nico O'Reilly who has begun to start in midfield for Man City. Luke Shaw's omission was another show of faith in Hall and he feels like the obvious left-back pick for this game.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo
Another beneficiary of United's excellent end to the season, Kobbie Mainoo is back in the England fold after reminding everyone of his quality in a Red Devils shirt.
His return to the international fold feels like vindication for Mainoo, who was regularly left out by previous club manager Ruben Amorim and he now looks primed for his first England start since September 2024, ahead of Jordan Henderson and new call-up James Garner.
CM: Adam Wharton
Alongside 20-year-old Mainoo in midfield is 22-year-old Adam Wharton in what looks like an exciting midfield partnership for this game.
Neither Wharton nor Mainoo's place in the England squad looks fully secure just yet despite their immense respective talents and good form for their clubs, so they will be hoping to give Tuchel no choice but to select them with a good display alongside each other.
RW: Jarrod Bowen
It's another tricky decision on the right wing with this game seemingly a shoot-out between Jarrod Bowen and Noni Madueke for the starting berth in Saka's absence.
The pace and directness of Madueke has been fancied by Tuchel since he took over as England boss - but that is why we think Bowen could actually get a chance to impress here, especially given his strong form for struggling West Ham compared to Madueke's more bit-part role for Arsenal.
CAM: Cole Palmer
Jude Bellingham looks unlikely to feature given his recent injury issues for Real Madrid and with Morgan Rogers also among the rested group of players, this looks like a battle for the No10 position between Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.
Neither are in stellar form for their clubs, but Palmer has featured more regularly for Chelsea and has had much less of a chance under Tuchel due to injuries, playing just 65 minutes against Andorra during his tenure so far. It feels like a good chance for Palmer to get the nod, with both he and Foden potentially sweating over their inclusion in this summer's squad.
LW: Marcus Rashford
With Anthony Gordon not involved, Marcus Rashford should win the battle with late call-up Harvey Barnes for a place on the left wing and, like many others in this team, feels like a player who still has work to do to really ensure his place in England's team.
The Manchester United loanee's form has dried up for Barcelona during the second half of the season but there is no doubt he is a dangerous weapon when he is fully firing. It feels a long time since the 28-year-old has done that regularly, however, so he will hope to show everyone his quality on his return to England.
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The final decision for Tuchel to make is between Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke up front, and we are siding with the Leeds man for this occasion in what will be his first involvement for the Three Lions since the 2021 European Championship.
Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed a revival since joining Leeds last summer, scoring 10 goals, and having been picked in this squad over Ollie Watkins, it feels like there is a real chance here to make sure he is the backup option to captain Kane this summer.
When is England vs Uruguay?
England face Uruguay in a friendly on Friday, March 27, 2026, with kick-off at 7:45pm UK time.
Where can I watch England vs Uruguay?
England vs Uruguay will be shown on ITV1 in the UK, with the game being played at Wembley Stadium.
Can I bet on England vs Uruguay?
Ladbrokes is giving customers the chance to bet on a number of markets for England vs Uruguay, including match result, first goalscorer and more.
Which players will be rested for England's game against Uruguay?
The England players rested for their game vs Uruguay are Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
