This embedded content is not available in your region.
05:20 PM BST
England’s Squad to Face Australia
Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England training squad due to a hamstring injury sustained during Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
Saka arrived at England’s St George’s Park on Monday but was unable to train since his injury during Arsenal’s Champions League defeat by Lens. Gareth Southgate has not called up a replacement.
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Southgate’s match-day squad will be announced soon.
04:58 PM BST
Controversy Surrounding Wembley Arch
Welcome to Telegraph Sport’s football coverage as England takes on Australia at Wembley Stadium for the first time in over seven years.
England comes into the game after a mixed set of results, having drawn 1-1 against Ukraine in August and then winning 3-1 away against Scotland, with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane scoring goals.
Although tonight’s match is a friendly, Gareth Southgate’s side will use the fixture to build momentum for next week’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, where they can secure their place in the tournament next summer.
The last meeting between these two teams was in 2016 at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light when England, under the command of Roy Hodgson, won 2-1 with a 75th-minute goal from Wayne Rooney.
The England squad may have more star quality now, but besides some high-scoring games against lesser opposition, they have struggled against top-tier sides over the past season and need to find their form soon to fulfill their potential at the Euros next year.
“It’s one of the great sporting rivalries and if Australia senses that we’re not taking the game seriously, we’ll be in trouble,” said Southgate. “We have talented players and we need to give them opportunities to showcase their abilities.”
Meanwhile, Australia will be looking for a change of fortune as they haven’t won in their last three matches.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, Australia manager Graham Arnold stated, “I know one thing, the players will run until they can’t anymore, their energy will be high, and they’ll give the performance of their lives.
“We aim to win. We’re not going out there to lose or draw, we’re going out there to win the game.”
However, the excitement surrounding tonight’s match has been overshadowed by off-field controversy. The Football Association has refused to light up the Wembley arch in recognition of the Hamas terror attack against Israel.
Instead, players will wear black armbands, and a moment of silence will be observed to remember the victims of the conflict.
The decision not to illuminate the arch has been criticized by Lucy Frazer, Britain’s Secretary for Culture, Media, and Sport, who expressed her “extreme disappointment” on social media.
In addition, Deji Davies, the chairman of the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB), has faced backlash for past tweets advocating a boycott of Israel as hosts of the European Under-21 Championship in 2013.
Addressing the FA’s decision, Southgate offered his “thoughts and feelings to everybody who has suffered” and acknowledged that whatever decision they made would be criticized in some way.
Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
