England National Football Team Vs Albania National Football Team Lineups and Stats (2026)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifying campaign reached a crucial juncture on the afternoon of Sunday, November 16, 2025, as England National Football Team Vs Albania National Football Team Lineups were confirmed ahead of a pivotal Group K fixture in the Albanian capital. Kicking off at 5:00pm at the Arena Kombetare in Tirana before an attendance of 21,459 supporters, the match carried significant weight in the qualification standings, with the Three Lions required to deliver a composed performance on difficult away turf.

In what proved to be a professional and controlled display from England, the visitors ran out 2-0 winners, with captain Harry Kane proving the difference at the top of the pitch once again.

Albania started with real intensity, pressing England high up the pitch, and earning an early yellow card for Ylber Ramadani in just the 15th minute as the hosts attempted to disrupt England’s rhythm from the first whistle.

England’s defensive unit, marshalled by John Stones and supplemented by the energetic presence of Jarrod Bowen in attacking midfield areas, gradually established control of possession as the half progressed.

The opening period remained goalless, but England’s superior quality began to tell increasingly in the second half as fresh legs from the bench invigorated the visitors’ attacking play.

Harry Kane broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, converting with the clinical precision that defines his international career, before doubling his tally just eight minutes later — the second goal assisted by substitute Marcus Rashford, who had entered the field only seven minutes prior.

Albania introduced Armando Broja from the bench in an attempt to spark a comeback, but England’s defensive discipline was resolute throughout, with Dean Henderson rarely seriously tested after the interval.

England National Football Team Vs Albania National Football Team Lineups — Full Starting XIs And Substitutes

Albania Starting XI

Albania Substitutes Used: I. Balliu (on 26′), A. Broja (on 75′), A. Pajaziti (on 84′)

England Starting XI

England Substitutes Used: B. Saka (on 62′), P. Foden (on 62′), M. Rashford (on 75′, Assist 82′), E. Anderson (on 75′), M. Rogers (on 84′)

England National Football Team Vs Albania National Football Team Lineups And World Cup Qualification Picture

The victory in Tirana was a significant step forward in England’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, with the Three Lions demonstrating the depth and quality needed to navigate what can often be a hostile away environment in European qualifying football.

Referee Marco Guida oversaw the fixture, with VAR Marco Di Bello providing additional support and Simone Sozza serving as fourth official throughout the ninety minutes.

The selection of Dean Henderson rather than Jordan Pickford in goal was a notable squad management decision, though Henderson was rarely called upon to make a meaningful intervention on a quiet evening between the sticks.

Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice provided England with their customary midfield quality, with Rice subbed off in the 62nd minute as the coaching staff managed workloads across a demanding international window.

Albania, for their part, showed plenty of the organisational discipline that has become a hallmark of their qualifying campaigns in recent years, frustrating England for significant stretches despite ultimately falling to a two-goal defeat.

England’s clean sheet and Kane’s brace provided exactly the platform the Three Lions needed heading into the later stages of the qualifying campaign, reinforcing their status as strong favourites to progress from Group K and book their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.