London: Already North America-bound, England concludes their home qualifying duties at Wembley Stadium in London on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. GMT as Thomas Tuchel’s team faces Serbia in Round 9 of Group K. Nothing can dislodge the 1966 World Cup winners from top spot. Yet the visitors still chase a playoff dream, sitting just one point behind Albania heading into this decisive night.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Tuchel, appointed amid skepticism, has dispelled all doubts: his team has achieved six wins out of six matches, earning 18 points, scoring 18 goals, and conceding none. Qualification was secured with a dominant 5-0 victory in Riga against Latvia, extending England’s perfect run and marking their fourth consecutive competitive clean sheet. Serbia’s journey has been much more challenging. A previous run of four straight clean sheets earlier this year fell apart due to late-game chaos. They have conceded seven goals in their last three qualifiers, which led to the resignation of Dragan Stojkovic. He was first replaced temporarily by Zoran Mirkovic and is now succeeded permanently by Veljko Paunovic, who will be in charge for his first match at Wembley-a true baptism by fire. If Serbia fails to secure a positive result and Albania defeats Andorra, their hopes of qualification will end here.
England’s camp has not escaped the usual pre-match injuries. Nick Pope and Anthony Gordon were withdrawn, replaced by James Trafford (Man City) and Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea). Marc Guehi carries a bone bruise and remains doubtful, while Morgan Rogers battles hamstring tightness. Three uncapped players-Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Alex Scott (Bournemouth), and Nico O’Reilly (Man City)-bolster Tuchel’s fresh-blood strategy. With the top spot sealed, he may still field a strong eleven to keep momentum. Jordan Pickford targets his 43rd England clean sheet, tying Joe Hart for second on the all-time list. Jude Bellingham should return to the XI beside Rice and Kane.
Serbia, meanwhile, suffers the blow of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s injury absence, removing their record 63-goal talisman. The weight of attacking responsibility shifts to Dusan Vlahovic, Luka Jovic, and Filip Kostic, with Paunovic expected to implement his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Tuchel is refining England’s vertical passing game by combining Rice’s deep progressive distribution with Bellingham’s strength in midfield and Saka’s ability to make inside-forward runs. Kane plays a role as a false anchor, linking different parts of the team and creating space for Rashford. England’s front four fluidly interchange positions, which overwhelms Serbia’s defensive line, often leaving them struggling to track diagonal runs.
Paunovic’s Serbia will need to rely on disciplined low-block defending to compress space for England’s wide forwards. Their double pivot, Gudelj and Lukic, lacks pace during transitions, so Serbia’s full-backs are likely to stay deep. If Serbia commits too many players forward too early, England can take advantage of their transitional speed with players like Saka and Bellingham.
Wembley’s farewell to England’s qualifying phase is more celebration than test-but also a reminder that team chemistry and rotational depth remain Tuchel’s focus. Serbia’s new era begins under pressure, needing both points and belief. Whether England prolongs their unstoppable streak or Serbia ignites a shock revival, Thursday’s game encapsulates one end of two journeys-one already heading to America, the other clinging to hope.