England are expected to line up with a back four in first game as manager against . Tuchel, 51, employed a three-man defence during his time with before switching to a back four at .

The German's aim is build a team capable of winning the 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Their journey kicks off at Wembley on Friday, hosting the group's third seed, Albania.

Speculation over which formation will play has been simmering since announced Tuchel as . The 51-year-old, who won the with Chelsea in 2021, and announced before the squad met up at St George's Park on Monday.

The and boss confirmed in midweek that , who he coached at Bayern, would remain England's captain and he'll lead the line in attack at Wembley. Other ever-presents such as , and will also start.

, who's spending the rest of this season on loan at , is in line to get the nod at right-back over Chelsea's while youngster Tino Livramento slots in at left-back, edging out starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly.

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In the middle of the back four, is set to be partnered by Marc Guehi. Centre-back is where injuries have hit Tuchel hardest, with and both injured.

Ahead of Rice and Bellingham in midfield will be star , who'll play centrally. , who earned a surprise recall to the squad, will start on the bench. Flanking Kane out wide, Newcastle's and captain are expected to fend off competition from and Morgan Rogers.

Due to rules only allowing managers to name 23 players in their matchday squad, Tuchel has been forced to leave three men out and make ruthless calls. midfielder , goalkeeper and defender Jarell Quansah are the unfortunate trio.

Has Thomas Tuchel picked the right XI for England? Have your say in the .

Tuchel expects his players to be brave, claiming he doesn't believe in the notion that the England shirt weights heavy on them. "I've heard a lot that it's a heavy shirt. It is in fact not. But I know what the players mean," Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference.

"Watching the I felt tension and pressure on the shoulders of the players and they were playing not to lose. I want us to play with excitement and the hunger and desire to win...and the acceptance of failure is part of it, especially in football."

England welcome Latvia, the second-lowest ranked team in the group, to Wembley on Monday. Tuchel's side then make the trip to Andorra in June before the reverse fixture takes place in September. Their first clash with second seed comes later that month.

The Three Lions will end their qualifying campaign with trips to Latvia and Albania either side of hosting Serbia.

England expected XI vs Albania: (4-2-3-1) Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Livramento; Rice, Bellingham; Bowen, Foden, Gordon; Kane

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