England face world champions Spain in Nations League opener
England start their new Nations League campaign against newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley. It pits the World Cup winners against the team that finished third this summer. The first words came from inside the England camp.
BBC Radio 5 Live released a 25-minute special on 25 September, presented by John Murray and Ian Dennis from the Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground ahead of the opening tie BBC Sounds. Murray speaks to head coach Thomas Tuchel. Dennis speaks to captain Harry Kane.
Tuchel's conversation starts at the six-minute mark and centres on the Spain match and squad selection. Kane's interview follows at the 14-minute mark. It covers the upcoming Ballon d'Or ceremony, football's annual award for the world's best men's player, and learnings from the summer's World Cup.
That summer still shapes this tie. England finished third at the 2026 World Cup ESPN. Spain arrived in London as champions. The rematch headlines England's return to competitive action.
Tuchel and Kane also held a press conference ahead of the Spain game BBC Sport. Tuchel has backed Kane to win the Ballon d'Or Goal. It is a public show of faith in his captain before a major test.
The squad frame is clear. Tuchel selected a 27-man group for a four-game window running from 21 September to 6 October England Football. The run of fixtures opens the 2026-27 Nations League, a UEFA competition played between World Cups and European Championships to give nations meaningful matches.
Four games in 16 days leaves little training time. Every pick counts. Every minute on the pitch counts for more.
The 26 September meeting is already drawing wide preview coverage, including predictions, picks and odds from Yahoo Sports. Wembley occasions do that. A world champion in town raises the volume.
There is recent history behind Kane's importance. Earlier this year Tuchel said Kane's absence hurt England in a defeat to Japan, while adding England can succeed without him but find it easier to win with him in the side Reuters. Short version: the captain matters.
For fans, this means a fast answer on where England are. Spain bring the crown and the confidence. England bring home support and hunger. Ninety minutes will give strangers something to share.
