Kick-off is 19:45 BST (19:45 WAT). The tie is in Group A3 with Croatia and Czechia. Spain won the Nations League in 2023 and were runners-up to Portugal in 2025. England finished third in the first edition in 2019 and return to League A after winning Group B2 last time.
Spain won 2-1 in Berlin in July 2024 through Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal. They have taken six of the last nine meetings. Overall the sides have met 28 times: England 13 wins, Spain 11, four draws.
Opta gives Spain a 40.2 per cent chance of winning, England 33.6 per cent and a draw 26.2 per cent. Spain arrive on a five-match winning run; England’s last five read W-L-W-W-W.
Thomas Tuchel said Spain’s defending was as impressive as their attack. “It’s difficult for every single team in the world to create chances against Spain. But we have a plan, we have ambition, and we want to be the exception to the rule.”
Luis de la Fuente said a new cycle had begun. “One story is over; now another begins. We want to continue doing important things.”
England are without Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento. Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner have been called up. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remain the attacking focus. Kane recently became the fastest player to 100 Bundesliga goals.
Spain are without goalkeeper Joan Garcia and Marc Pubill. Lamine Yamal has seven La Liga goals this season. Ferran Torres scored a Champions League hat-trick for Paris Saint-Germain.
Probable England XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Probable Spain XI: Unai Simón; Eric García, Cubarsí, Huijsen, Cucurella; Fermín López, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.
Wembley hosts a League A opener that already feels like a final replay.