Today, on March 26 in London, the Ukraine national team will play its opening match for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualification — against England (kick-off at 19:00). Here is our opponent.

England

General Information

As of December 2022, the English team held fifth place in the official FIFA ranking. The first match in history for the England national team was played on November 30, 1872 against Scotland (0-0), their biggest victory came on February 18, 1882 over Ireland (13-0), and their worst defeat occurred on May 23, 1954 to Hungary (1-7).

England national team — world champions (1966), silver medalists of the European Championship (2020), twice bronze medalists of the European Championships (1968, 1996), bronze medalists of the Nations League (2019).

Squad

Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale ("Arsenal"), Fraser Forster ("Tottenham"), Jordan Pickford ("Everton").

Defenders: Kieran Trippier ("Newcastle"), Ben Chilwell, Reece James (both "Chelsea"), Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (both "Manchester United"), John Stones, Kyle Walker (both "Manchester City"), Eric Dier ("Tottenham"), Marc Guehi ("Crystal Palace").

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham ("Borussia" Dortmund, Germany), Jordan Henderson ("Liverpool"), Conor Gallagher ("Chelsea"), Kalvin Phillips ("Manchester City"), Declan Rice ("West Ham").

Forwards: Jadon Sancho ("Manchester United"), James Maddison ("Leicester"), Harry Kane ("Tottenham"), Jack Grealish, Phil Foden (both "Manchester City"), Bukayo Saka ("Arsenal").

Almost all players in the England squad come from the Premier League. Only one player represents the German Bundesliga, and 22 play for 11 English clubs. The oldest among the footballers is goalkeeper Fraser Forster of "Tottenham," who is 35 years and 11 months old, while the youngest is midfielder Jude Bellingham from Dortmund's "Borussia", aged 19 years and 10 months.

Head Coach

The England national team is coached by 52-year-old professional Gareth Southgate. He took over the position in September 2016, replacing Sam Allardyce.

Before being appointed as head coach of the national team, Southgate worked at "Middlesbrough", and then with the English youth squad. With the "Three Lions," he secured fourth place in the 2018 World Cup, second place in Euro 2020, and third place in the Nations League 2019.

Under Southgate's leadership, England has played 82 matches: they won 50, drew 18, and lost 14.

Leader

The leader of the England national team is forward Harry Kane. On his record in the national team are 81 matches and 54 goals.

The 28-year-old player has been with "Tottenham" since August 2011. Kane was on loan to "Leighton," "Millwall," "Norwich," and "Leicester."

The best goalscorer in England's history (54 goals). The top scorer of the 2018 World Cup (6 goals). Best goalscorer in the English Premier League (2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2020/2021).

Harry Kane plays as a pure striker or attacking midfielder. He is very strong in the final stages of an attack. Possesses a powerful shot from long distance.

Kane is good at and loves controlling the ball, plays well in the second phase of play, starts counterattacks excellently, prefers short passes, and executes set pieces very well. The authoritative portal Transfermarkt evaluates Harry Kane's transfer value at 90 million euros.