England vs Wales starting XI CONFIRMED as Southgate selects Henderson and Kane

England’s starting XI for their Group B match against Wales has been revealed, with Gareth Southgate making four changes from the side that drew 0-0 against USA.

The Three Lions performed poorly against the States, failing to secure a place in the knockouts with a game to spare after beating Iran 6–2 in their opener.

However, England only need a point tonight to guarantee qualification, while even a 3-0 defeat to Wales will see them reach the knockouts. A win sees England take first place, with Southgate opting to experiment with his side.

Phil Foden has been included in England’s starting eleven for their final group game against Wales

There was talk of a possible drop to the substitutes’ bench for 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, but the Borussia Dortmund man retains his place in midfield, starting alongside Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice in midfield.

Phil Foden, after being completely overlooked against USA and only after coming on for 70 minutes against Iran, makes his first start of the competition.

Kyle Walker and Marcus Rashford are also part of the Southgate squad.

Captain Harry Kane, who was seen strapped to his ankle following the goalless draw against the US after undergoing an ankle scan following a tough challenge against Iran, is once again in the lead.

Those left out of the team are Kieran Trippier, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka.

Confirmed England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Henderson, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane

Gareth Southgate (left) has shaken the pack ahead of England’s final group game, with Marcus Rashford (right) also getting a starting spot against Wales

Kyle Walker has also recovered from injury and is now at Southgate’s side for Wales

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will also be present in the center of the park from the start

Behind the scenes, Southgate has made it clear to his players that any omissions from the starting eleven should be seen as rotation rather than anything more concrete.

The England staff have told their players they intend to use the squad’s depths to counter the rapid turnaround in matches and the stifling conditions here in Qatar.

Southgate doesn’t want his players to be downhearted if they are not named in the starting eleven or lose their place and has made his players aware of this.

Those who don’t make it will naturally be more rested for the Round of 16, assuming England get there, with the match on December 3 or 4, depending on where they finish in Group B.

And England now know exactly who they will play against as Group B winners or runners-up, having ended Group A earlier on Tuesday.

If England finish as winners of group B tonight, they will play against Senegal on Sunday 4 December. If England finishes second in Group B tonight, it will play against the Netherlands on Saturday 3 December.