England vs Wales LIVE World Cup 2022: Kick off time, TV channel and team news for Group B decider

England and Wales meet at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar later today for the first-ever home nations clash at a World Cup, with the so-called “Battle of Britain” a crucial clash to decide the final positionings in Group B.

The Three Lions are top of the group and need just a point to secure their passage to the knockout stages, while Wales are on the verge of elimination and must beat England for the first time since 1984 in order to advance, along with hoping that Iran and the USA draw.

England boss Gareth Southgate may make changes to the lineup that started both against Iran and Wales, amid widespread clamour for Phil Foden to be introduced.

England have all but reached the last 16 and it would take a four-goal defeat to Wales for Southgate’s side to be eliminated. But Wales captain Gareth Bale appeared to be in bullish mood ahead of the must-win clash with Southgate’s men and said there is no reason Wales cannot pull off a shock and beat England.

The match will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage starting from 6pm GMT, as well as online on the BBC iPlayer. It will also be shown on channel S4C in Wales. In the US, kick off is 2pm ET/11amPT with the game live on Fox Sports and Universo.

World Cup 2022: Wales vs England

England take on Wales in 2022 World Cup Group B

Three Lions through to knockout stages with a point

Wales need big win to give themselves chance of qualification

Wales coach suggests Bale and Ramsey may not start

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate not expecting more boos

11:02 , Ben Burrows

Southgate expects full-hearted backing from England’s supporters despite boos greeting the final whistle against the USA.

“I’m not really sure what the thing in the stadium was because when we went over to our fans I thought they were really good at the end of the game,” he said.

“We know there’ll be a lot of supporters of both countries there. It’s going to be a cracking atmosphere.

“Our fans will be with us for sure. There’s no question about that.

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“I think they know the journey this team has been on over the last two tournaments, in particular.

“We’re top of the group at the moment, still a bit to do to qualify. But, as I said earlier, if we can win this game, then we can win the group and that was the first objective when we set out at the start of the tournament.”

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate explains England vs Wales rivalry

10:47 , Ben Burrows

Southgate seemed in relaxed mood at the pre-match press conference, with laughter filling the room at the Qatar National Convention Centre when asked to explain the rivalry.

“Well, basically they’re here and we’re right there!” he said with a smile. “There’s not a lot more I can say than that, really.

“It’s like any two countries whose borders are next to each other.

“There’s a competitive rivalry. For me, it’s a great sporting rivalry. It’s no more than that.

“That feeling might not be mutual, but I can understand that as well. I live in Yorkshire. They feel the same about the rest of England, so that’s where we’re at.

“It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium and we’re really looking forward to the game.”

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate aims to do talking on the pitch

10:25 , Ben Burrows

Among those comments were those from towering Wales striker Kieffer Moore, who this month said he would love to knock out England.

“He’s entitled to say whatever he wants leading into a game,” Southgate said when the former England C international’s comments were put to him. “I’d be amazed if he didn’t feel that way.

“We’ve got to just focus on what we’re about, preparing for the game in our normal way.

“We’ve got to bring our quality to the game and composure and play with tempo that makes our team really difficult to play against.

“So, it’s pointless us focusing on what is said before the game. We’ve got to go on the pitch and play well.”

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate praises Wales

10:05 , Ben Burrows

England head into the match as favourites against a Welsh side looking for their first World Cup win since 1958 – and first against their neighbours since 1984.

“They obviously have some world-class players who can produce moments of brilliance and have done for a long time with their clubs, with their country,” Southgate said. “They have a good spirit, they have a good organisation.

“We know the quality of the Ukraine team they beat to get to these finals and we know that they seem to have additional motivation to play against England from what they’re saying.”

(Getty Images)

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate targets complete performance

09:49 , Ben Burrows

Gareth Southgate wants a complete World Cup performance as England look to progress to the knockout phase as group winners and end neighbours Wales’ Qatar stay in the process.

Having enjoyed their best ever start to a major tournament by thrashing Iran 6-2 last Monday, the side played out a frustrating 0-0 stalemate with the United States four days later.

England are assured of progress to the last 16 should they avoid a four-goal defeat to Wales, whose hopes hang by a thread after drawing with the US and losing to Iran in heart-breaking fashion.

All eyes will be on Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium as the rivals go toe-to-toe on Tuesday, when Southgate’s men can bring the curtain down on Wales’ first World Cup appearance since 1958.

“We want to win football matches,” the England boss said. “We have got to balance freshness with stability, so that’s always a decision you’re making when you’re picking a team.

“We’ve got a chance to win the group with a positive result, so there’s a lot for both teams resting on the game. There’s no game where there isn’t pressure on either team and really our performance is the key.

“We played well with the ball in our first game, scored a lot of goals. The second game was tougher for us, we defended really well. Now we want to put both elements of the game together.”

World Cup 2022: Joe Rodon ready to mark Spurs teammate Harry Kane

09:33 , Ben Burrows

Joe Rodon cannot wait for the “brilliant challenge” of tackling Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane in Wales’ make-or-break World Cup clash with England.

Centre-back Rodon says he has faced England captain Kane “maybe a million times in training” but never marked him in a competitive game.

That is set to come to an end at Doha’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday, with Wales needing to beat England for the first time in 38 years to be in with a chance of extending their World Cup stay into the knockout phase.

“Harry has been a top player for many years, one of the best in the world,” said Rodon, who joined Spurs from Swansea in 2020 and is currently on a season-long loan at French club Rennes.

“He is a brilliant finisher, both feet as well. He has scored many goals and is a world-class striker. I have trained and spent a couple of seasons with him and we all know how good he is.

“In a competitive game it is going to be another brilliant challenge, and one I am very excited about. Training with these players (at Spurs) for the last couple of seasons has improved me as a player a lot as well.”

World Cup 2022: Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey could be kept in reserve

09:15 , Ben Burrows

Robert Page has suggested Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey could be used off the bench for Wales’ make or break World Cup clash with England.

Skipper Bale and Ramsey have been Wales’ best players over the last decade or so and guided the country to the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

But both players – Bale is 33 and Ramsey 31 – have been way below their best in Qatar, leaving some Wales fans to call for the pair to be benched with Page’s side on the brink of World Cup elimination.

Manager Page said: “It’s a big ask for anybody in this environment to go four days later.

“I’m going to pick a team that I think can go out and compete against England, whether that’s with or without them. I’m not going to give that away.

“If they don’t start, can they can make an impact? That’s always been my dilemma playing games in quick succession. If they start one game, can they start the next? My thought process won’t be any different.

“Whether they come on and have an impact or start and last an hour or 90 minutes, they are talented footballers. We’re all getting criticism now and rightly so because results aren’t going our way and that’s the industry we’re in.

“We’re big enough to take it – it’s not a problem. We put our big boy pants on and get on with it.”

(PA)

Fans in Doha celebrate ahead of World Cup ‘battle of Britain’

08:55 , Shweta Sharma

England and Wales fans enjoyed a raucous night in Doha ahead of the crunch game that will decide their World Cup futures, with beer flowing and songs sounding throughout.

The city’s Red Lion pub has become a popular haunt for supporters of both home nations, and the tens of thousands of international fans who have travelled across continents for football’s biggest tournament.

Among the numbers on the heaving floor was new arrival Steven Williams, from Rhydyfelin in Pontypridd, South Wales, who had booked a ticket after seeing Wales‘ poor performance in the last two games.

“A lot of people put us down after the last game but I thought I have to go out there – I’m here flying the flag for the Welsh,” the 47-year-old said.

“I’d like to come out with a win tomorrow, but that almost doesn’t matter as much as the statement we’re making here in Qatar.

“We’ve waited 64 years for this and we’re here in the bars, the restaurants, in the Souq and everywhere in between making our presence known.”

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate refutes Phil Foden rumours

08:35 , Ben Burrows

Southgate also refuted suggestions Foden had not been in contention due to his club form heading into the finals.

“We have just got really good players,” he added.

“Bukayo Saka has been an outstanding player in the league this year. Raheem (Sterling) has scored 20 goals in 80 caps for England.

Jack (Grealish) and Marcus (Rashford) are also in good form. We are really happy with Phil, we are really happy to have Phil.

“He is going to play a big part in this tournament, there is no doubt in my mind about that.”

World Cup 2022: Wales boss suggests Bale and Ramsey may not start vs England

08:29 , Alex Pattle

Robert Page has suggested Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey could be used off the bench for Wales’ make or break World Cup clash with England.

Skipper Bale and Ramsey have been Wales’ best players over the last decade or so and guided the country to the last two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

But both players – Bale is 33 and Ramsey 31 – have been way below their best in Qatar, leaving some Wales fans to call for the pair to be benched with Page’s side on the brink of World Cup elimination.

Manager Page said: “It’s a big ask for anybody in this environment to go four days later. I’m going to pick a team that I think can go out and compete against England, whether that’s with or without them. I’m not going to give that away.

“If they don’t start, can they can make an impact? That’s always been my dilemma playing games in quick succession.”

More from the Wales coach here:

Wales boss suggests Bale and Ramsey may not start against England

World Cup 2022: Gareth Southgate cautious over Phil Foden

08:15 , Ben Burrows

England manager Gareth Southgate wants to ensure Phil Foden does not become a victim of his own success.

The Manchester City midfielder has played just 19 minutes of football in Qatar across England’s opening two games.

He came off the bench in the opening 6-2 thrashing of Iran but was an unused substitute in Friday’s goalless draw with the USA.

There was widespread clamour for Foden to be introduced and Southgate was criticised for not utilising the 22-year-old as his side struggled to create chances at the Al Bayt Stadium.

He could come into the side that faces Wales on Tuesday, with Southgate tipped to make changes – but the England boss has warned against expecting too much from Foden at this stage of his career.

“We have to be careful because we are putting a lot of pressure on him now,” he said.

“We’re a team and we need all of the players and they can all play a part but not any one of them is the reason we will win or lose.

“We need to make sure we are not building Phil into as situation where actually if he steps on the pitch this is becoming really difficult for him because the level of expectation is beyond a young guy who is still establishing himself internationally, in a different environment from his club where you’re comfortable with all the players you play with, it’s really distinctive, you’re going home every night, you’re calm with everything else.

“This is still a unique environment. He is still a really young player and he’s doing brilliantly well and we love him to bits. We also have got to look after him a bit as well.”

(PA)

Five memorable meetings between Wales and England ahead of World Cup clash

07:55 , Shweta Sharma

Today’s World Cup Group B contest will mark the 104th time Wales and England have met since their first encounter in 1879 when the hosts walked away 2-1 winners in an international friendly at London’s Kennington Oval.

Gareth Southgate’s men have history on their side with 68 wins, 14 losses and 21 draws, while Wales will hope to conjure the magic of some of their most historic victories to stay in the tournament.

15 October 1949: Wales 1 – 4 England, World Cup Qualifier (Ninian Park, Cardiff)

10 November 1954: England 3 -2 Wales, Home International (Wembley)

31 May 1977: England 0 – 1 Wales, Home International (Wembley)

17 May 1980: Wales 4 – 1 England, Home International (Racecourse Ground, Wrexham)

16 June 2016: England 2 – 1 Wales, Euro 2016 group stage (Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Read the full report.

Five memorable meetings between Wales and England ahead of World Cup clash

World Cup 2022: Harry Kane fit to play against Wales

07:40 , Ben Burrows

Harry Kane will be available to start for England in the team’s final World Cup group game against Wales on Tuesday.

The striker took a hit on his ankle in England’s opening game against Iran and looked off the pace in the 0-0 draw with the United States on Friday.

England coach Gareth Southgate said the injury had caused issues with Kane’s foot, but on Monday said the player would be available against Wales.

“With Harry, obviously we are going to pick a team we believe can win the game,” Southgate said. “That is our priority as always.

“He is fine in terms of the knock he had. He’s trained well.”

(AP)

World Cup 2022: Robert Page believes England are beatable

07:26 , Ben Burrows

Wales manager Rob Page believes that despite a disappointing World Cup campaign his side are capable of beating England on Tuesday, hinting that Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey may start their final Group B clash on the bench.

Wales, bottom of the standings on one point, must beat England to have any chance of progressing — but even a victory might not be enough as they would also need the other match between Iran and the United States to end in a draw.

“This tournament has shown that every team is beatable. So, of course, England are beatable,” Page told a news conference on Monday.

“They’ve got a wonderful pool of players to choose from, so whatever team they put on that pitch is going to be a tough challenge for us.

“But we want to show that we’re not just here to give disappointing performances.”

Jordan Henderson vows England will do talking on the pitch against Wales

06:55 , Shweta Sharma

Jordan Henderson insists England will do their talking on the pitch rather than get into a war of words with Wales.

The home nations clash at the World Cup on Tuesday, with England all but through from Group B and Wales needing a win to stand any chance of joining their neighbours in the last 16.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Wales striker Kieffer Moore said he “couldn’t wait” to knock out England.

Jordan Henderson vows England will do talking on the pitch against Wales

Gareth Bale adamant Wales are capable of shocking England in World Cup showdown

05:55 , Shweta Sharma

Gareth Bale insists Wales can upset England and provide another surprise in a World Cup of shock results.

Wales must beat England for the first time since 1984 on Tuesday to be in with a chance of making the knockout phase.

Even then, unless England are beaten by a four-goal margin, Wales need Iran and the United States to draw their final match to make the round of 16 in Qatar.

It is a tall order for a Wales side who have won only once in 10 games, but Bale says they can draw on respective underdog victories for Japan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia over Germany, Belgium and Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

“There’s been a few shocks in the tournament already and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same,” the 33-year-old said.

“Everyone has weaknesses. We’ve done our homework and had meetings, and I’m sure they’ve done the same with us.

“We know how difficult it will be. England are a very good team, They’re one of the favourites to win the tournament.

“We are under no illusions it will be hard, we’re going to give everything like we always do.”

Wales captain Gareth Bale is aiming for another World Cup shock against England (PA Wire)

England and Wales fans to face extra police after violence in Tenerife

04:55 , Shweta Sharma

Fearing a repeat of violence ahead of the crucial England and Wales World Cup match, Spanish police have ordered a “special security operation” to prevent “possible riots” between the drunken fans.

Thousands of football fans from both sides have travelled to the Canary Islands due to strict alcohol laws in Qatar where drinking in public can be punished with six months of jail.

“The Local Police of Arona and the National Police force have coordinated to implement a special security operation in the tourist area in view of the upcoming World Cup matches in Qatar,” a statement from the local council said.

A police crackdown on violent football fans is expected after several videos from pubs in the Canary Islands showed fans brawling after England’s 0-0 draw with the USA on Friday evening.

Dozens of fans from rival teams were filmed punching and kicking each other.

“After the events that occurred this week, both security forces have coordinated their actions to prevent possible riots in the upcoming World Cup matches in Qatar in the tourist areas of Arona. In particular, the one in which the Wales and England teams will participate,” the statement added.

England vs Wales predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of World Cup fixture

04:37 , Shweta Sharma

England may make changes when they face Wales in the deciding fixture of Group B in the World Cup.

England have all but reached the last 16 and it would take a four-goal defeat to Wales for Gareth Southgate’s side to be eliminated.

They will secure top spot in Group B with a win but England must also improve after their goalless draw with the USA.

The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood has more:

Team news and predicted line-ups ahead of England vs Wales

03:49 , Shweta Sharma

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the crucial clash between England and Wales in the World Cup tonight.