England meet Spain at sold-out Wembley with Wonderwall waiting
England return to a sold-out Wembley on Saturday night to face world and European champions Spain.
It is the Nations League opener for both teams. It is also the first game for either since the summer World Cup, where England finished third and Spain lifted the title The Guardian.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm on Saturday 26 September at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. The game will be shown live on ITV. It is a Matchday 1 fixture in Group A3 of the 2026/27 Nations League, UEFA's competition that replaces friendlies with competitive group games England Football.
There is recent history here. England and Spain met in the final of Euro 2024 in Berlin. Spain won 2-1 that night. This is the same fixture with new context and plenty of new faces UEFA.
Thomas Tuchel has promised a familiar soundtrack if England start with a win. Wonderwall, the Oasis song that followed England through the World Cup, will play around Wembley. "I think it will happen if we win," Tuchel said. Expect noise.
Tuchel is short of familiar options for this restart. He has only 15 players available from the World Cup squad for this window. England face four matches in 11 days, on a Saturday-Tuesday cycle twice with international flights in between. Captain Harry Kane is "desperate to start all four" and Tuchel said there is a chance he will.
The England boss faced criticism for his game management in the World Cup semi-final Yahoo Sport. He said his interactions with supporters since the tournament have been positive. A full house suggests the appetite is still strong.
Tuchel wants to go all the way in this competition. A deep run would keep England playing top-level opposition into next June. That is ideal preparation for Euro 2028. After Spain, England face Czechia home and away and Croatia away.
Wembley has delivered fast starts before. Last October England led Wales 3-0 after 20 minutes and won by the same score. Tickets for Saturday were priced from £35 to £80 and sold out.
For supporters packing the stadium, this means no gentle reintroduction. Spain, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, keep the ball with ease. England want to hit hard and early. And if it lands, Wonderwall again.
