England Aim to Maintain Perfect Record in World Cup Qualifying Despite Securing Spot in 2026 Tournament

TIRANA – Despite having already secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the England national team is determined to maintain their unblemished record in the qualifying campaign as they prepare to face Albania in their final Group C match. The Three Lions are set to face Albania at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana on Monday, November 17, 2025, a fixture that holds little significance in terms of qualification, with England having already clinched their spot and Albania guaranteed a place in the play-offs.

However, the match represents an opportunity for England to achieve a historic milestone by completing the qualifying campaign with a perfect record and without conceding a single goal. England, currently managed by Thomas Tuchel, have displayed dominant form throughout the qualification process, winning all seven of their matches and showcasing a formidable defensive unit.

"There’s still a lot of motivation," said England captain Harry Kane, speaking to Sky Sports. "It’s important to finish the year strong with a win and keep the momentum going."

"We know we’ve qualified, but we still haven’t conceded a goal, and to go through the whole qualification without conceding is a big motivation," Kane added. "It’s also about pushing ourselves. We’ll be favorites in most games. We believe we can beat anyone in the world, and tomorrow will be no different."

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England’s dominant performance in the World Cup qualifiers reflects the team’s evolution under Tuchel. Since taking over the reins, Tuchel has instilled a tactical discipline and a winning mentality that has transformed the Three Lions into one of the most formidable teams in international football.

England’s Unblemished Qualifying Campaign

England’s journey to the 2026 World Cup has been marked by consistent performances, solid defense, and clinical finishing. Their qualifying campaign began with a convincing 3-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley Stadium in March 2024, followed by a 2-0 win against Albania at the same venue a few days later.

In September 2024, England continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Poland in Warsaw, followed by a comfortable 4-0 win against Andorra at Wembley Stadium. The Three Lions maintained their momentum in October 2024 with a resounding 5-0 victory against Andorra away from home, followed by a 2-0 win against Poland at Wembley Stadium.

England secured their place in the 2026 World Cup with a 3-0 victory over San Marino away from home in November 2024, their seventh consecutive win in the qualifying campaign. Throughout these matches, England has showcased their strength in depth, with several players stepping up and contributing to the team’s success.

Albania’s Play-off Qualification

While Albania’s World Cup hopes may not lie in automatic qualification, they have secured a valuable play-off spot, giving them a chance to compete for a place in the tournament through a different route. Under the guidance of their coach, Albania has shown resilience and determination throughout the qualifying campaign, securing crucial wins and draws that have earned them the play-off berth.

Albania’s squad consists of a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, with several players plying their trade in top European leagues. Their key players include captain Elseid Hysaj, who plays as a right-back for Serie A side Lazio, and forward Armando Broja, who is currently on loan at Fulham from Chelsea.

Historical Context

England and Albania have faced each other on six previous occasions, with England winning all six matches. The first encounter between the two teams took place in May 1989, a World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium, which England won 5-0. The most recent match between the two sides was in March 2024, a World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium, which England won 2-0.

England’s best performance in the World Cup came in 1966 when they won the tournament on home soil. Since then, they have reached the semi-finals on two occasions, in 1990 and 2018. Albania has never qualified for the World Cup finals.

Team News and Potential Line-ups

England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to make several changes to his starting line-up for the match against Albania, giving opportunities to players who have not featured as prominently in the qualifying campaign. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is likely to start in place of Jordan Pickford, while defenders Ben White and Tyrone Mings could also be given starting roles.

In midfield, Jude Bellingham is expected to be rested, with Conor Gallagher likely to step in. Upfront, Marcus Rashford could start alongside Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.

Albania coach is also expected to make some changes to his starting line-up, with several players carrying knocks and suspensions. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha is likely to start, while captain Elseid Hysaj will lead the defense. In midfield, Keidi Bare and Nedim Bajrami are expected to feature, while Armando Broja will lead the line upfront.

Potential England Starting Line-up:

Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Ben White, John Stones, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount
Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling

Potential Albania Starting Line-up:

Goalkeeper: Etrit Berisha
Defenders: Elseid Hysaj, Berat Djimsiti, Marash Kumbulla, Ermir Lenjani
Midfielders: Keidi Bare, Nedim Bajrami, Ylber Ramadani
Forwards: Armando Broja, Myrto Uzuni, Sokol Cikalleshi

The Road Ahead

England’s focus will now shift to preparing for the 2026 World Cup, where they will be among the favorites to lift the trophy. Tuchel will use the remaining international fixtures and club matches to fine-tune his squad and develop a tactical approach that can deliver success on the world stage.

Albania will focus on preparing for the World Cup play-offs, where they will face a tough opponent in their quest to qualify for the tournament for the first time in their history.

The match between England and Albania is expected to be a competitive encounter, with both teams eager to end their qualifying campaigns on a positive note. While England will be determined to maintain their perfect record, Albania will be keen to prove their mettle against one of the best teams in the world.

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Ahmad Zein Salamo: Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

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